Downtown traders call ‘Srinagar bandh’
The traders of downtown have called for Srinagar Bandh on Saturday against “atrocities” committed by the force personnel after the congregational Friday prayers in historic Jamia Masjid area.
“Police and paramilitary CRPF today crossed all limits and used brute force in Jamia Masjid and neighboring localities after the congregational Friday prayers,” Jamia Market Traders Federation President Javaid Ahmed Zargar said.He alleged that from Nowhatta to Saraf Kadal, the force personnel unleashed a reign of terror. “While shops and houses were ransacked, traders and inhabitants were roughed up by police and paramilitary personnel,” Zargar alleged adding many people received injuries.
He said the cops fired pepper gas in the area. “Many people including children and elderly vomited blood because of inhaling the pepper gas”.
“Today’s use of brute force is a clear cut indication that as a part of the deep rooted conspiracy, government wants to destroy the business activities in downtown,” Zargar alleged.
He said after the forces highhandedness, Jamia Market Traders Federation called an emergency meeting of the Downtown Coordination committee and it was unanimously decided that entire Srinagar’s business community would observe shutdown tomorrow (Saturday).
“We have always supported the traders of other areas including the civil lines and hope that they will stand by us for unity,” Zargar said.
He appealed traders to assemble at Nowhatta Chowk tomorrow for staging a peaceful dharna against the “atrocities” committed by the cops. (KNS)
