Amid anti-China protests in various districts of West Bengal, shop owners in Siliguri’s popular Hong Kong market yesterday decided to change its name and stop selling Chinese products in the entire market.
“We have decided to change the name of Hong Kong market. We will also stop selling ‘made in China items’ in our market. If we sell local products, they will be more cost-effective for the buyers as there will be no duty charges levied upon them,” said market committee president Tapan Saha.
Siliguri’s Hong Kong market is a popular shopping destination that sells attractive Chinese products, from electronic gadgets to cosmetics to household items.
Saha said that the name of the market will be changed soon.
“We have not decided the new name yet. We will soon take a call on that after a meeting with all the shop owners,” he added.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people staged protests yesterday in different parts of West Bengal districts demanding justice for Indian soldiers killed during the violent face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh.
Angry residents also asked people to boycott Chinese products to protest violent attacks by the Chinese army along the borders.
The protests took place in various pockets of Cooch Behar district and Siliguri’s Bagdogra area where hundreds of people marched with posters and placards with anti-China slogans and called for boycott of Chinese items.
They also burnt the effigies of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The rallies were also supported by different political parties, including the Congress.
Senior Congress leader and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also demanded justice for the slain soldiers.
“The entire country is shocked and agitated over the heinous attack by the Chinese army. Our martyrs’ blood will not go in vain. We need to respond the enemy by the language they understand,” Chowdhury said, adding that the country is now in mourning.
The slain soldiers, including a commanding officer, came from almost all parts of India: from Punjab in the west to West Bengal and Bihar in the east, to Telangana in the south.
Commanding officer Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu was from Telangana.
Their bodies were flown to their hometowns aftera ceremonial send-off.
Expressing condolences,  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the loss of soldiers was “deeply disturbing and painful.”
He said Indian soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian army.
“The nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers,” he said.
Singh said the nation stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them in this difficult hour.
“We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s bravehearts,” Singh said in a statement.
Speaking about the bravery of their officers, the Indian army said, “Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of our valiant soldiers at Galwan. We offer deepest condolences to the families and stand strong in our resolve towards protecting the sovereignty and integrity of our country. Their sacrifices will not go in vain.”