Peter Townson / Doha Time

Doha, Jun 14: Tempers flared yesterday as plain-clothed policemen physically prevented large groups of bachelors from entering a popular souq in Doha’s banking district.

Citing ‘family day’ as the reason for barring the men, officers shouted at the male-only crowds to stop them accessing the area – and in some cases pushed them back.

A number of the 20-strong group of police officers also held pieces of wire in their hands as many bachelors expressed their anger and confusion at being blocked.

The increasingly ugly confrontation took place in Grand Hamad Avenue yesterday afternoon as hundreds of bachelors congregated on their day off.

For many single men, Fridays are a day to meet up with friends and compatriots to share information and problems. With limited facilities within the city – and because of their financial limitations – many men gather in the heart of the city, including the souq next to the Al Najada Shopping Centre, across the road from Al Fardan Exchange.

However, following complaints, the police have acted to disperse the huge crowds, claiming the operation has been going on for the past year. 

One of the policemen, who was turning people away at a pedestrian crossing and redirecting them elsewhere, explained that the men were being moved on because it was ‘family day’ around the souq.

“Every Friday we come here to stop the labourers accessing this area,” he said. “No Nepalese are allowed.”

However, it was not only the Nepalese bachelors who were stopped, but all workers of Asian nationality.

One expatriate who was turned away by a police officer told Gulf Times that he had not been offered any explanation as to why he had to move. He claimed he was simply shouted at to go to the other side of the road. 

Others who were similarly treated seemed to be equally confused.

“I just want to go to one shop and come back,” said one member of the crowd. “I don’t know why, but they won’t let me go and now I can’t get to that shop.”

As people attempted to cross the road towards the Qatar National Bank building, Gulf Times witnessed them being physically stopped from getting across the central reservation. 

The reason for the ban had been given as ‘family day’, but no families were sighted in the area.

Instead, a lot of shouting started to develop as hundreds of Asian men lined the street in the groups they had been herded into.

As the day progressed, a number of bachelors became increasingly angry at the treatment they were receiving and began arguing with the policemen.  And even though the general reaction was to obey official orders, tempers began to fray by late afternoon leading to a number of angry outbursts.

One single Western expatriate man at the scene, whose route was not barred, said he was shocked at the way people were being treated. 

“They were literally being herded like sheep or cattle, and there was no communication between the police and the labourers at all – they just shouted at them. It was blatant discrimination,” he said.