Shahr-e-Khaas Traders call for ‘Srinagar Bandh’

SRINAGAR:  Accusing police of ‘unnecessary’ harassment in the name of law and order’ the Shehar-e-Khas Traders Coordination Committee (SKTCC)  Friday alleged that police personnel lobbed tear smoke shells inside their shops and ransacked their outlets without any provocation. 

The traders who staged a protest said that it has become a routine for the police to resort to indiscriminate tear gas shelling every week after Friday prayers.

“Large number of police personnel cordoned off Jamia Masjid when people were busy offering Friday prayers. As the people started coming out, few youth pelted stones on police and they retaliated with rubber bullets and tear smoke shells. We fail to understand why on every Friday police confront youth. It is the presence of police that is responsible for the trouble always,” the traders alleged.

“Remove police from the streets people will disperse peacefully” said Shafat Ahmad Khan, a resident of Pandan area. 

“Presence of police in full battle gear ahead of Namaz outside Jamia Masjid is a clear provocation for the youth who vent their frustrations by pelting stones on these symbols of the repressive state”, said sociologist Dr Sarfaraz Nabi”.

Shehar-Khas Jamia Market Traders Association President Javid Ahmed Zargar alleged that police men after lobbing tear smoke shells inside the shops ransacked them. “The shops of Showkat Ahmed Bindroo and Abdul Rasheed Kawa were looted while extensive damage to goods in other shops was caused,” he said adding that police target shopkeepers after every Friday prayers on the pretext of dispersing stone-pleters. Zargar alleged that police intentionally target shopkeepers.

Presence of police in full battle gear ahead of Namaz outside Jamia Masjid is a clear provocation for the youth who vent their frustrations by pelting stones on these symbols of the repressive state

sociologist Dr Sarfaraz Nabi

Police resorted to intense pepper shelling that blood started oozing out from the mouth of Grand Imam Syed Ahmed Syed who according to Zargar was later shifted to SMHS hospital for treatment.

 Zargar said that soon after the incident, Coordination Committee  called an important meeting and all the traders community form Srinagar city were requested to observe a complete shutdown in Srinagar on December 5 (Saturday). “We appeal to traders from Civil Lines as well to observe shutdown against police highhandedness. 

All the traders will assemble at Jamia Market at 10:30 AM and a peaceful protest will be organized in Nowhatta Chowk,” Zargar said adding that     Expressing resentment over the incident, the traders community in different areas of Old Srinagar City including Rajouri Kadal, Bohri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Kawdara downed their shutters and observed shutdown.

Refuting the allegations leveled by traders, a police official said that it has become a routine for some miscreants to disturb peace in the area. “Stone-pleters usually pelt stones on both police and shopkeepers. Miscreants and not peace loving shopkeepers are our target. ” he said.

Meanwhile Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation President Muhammad Sadaq Baqal while supporting the strike call condemned the police action. He said that during every clash in Srinagar City, traders are being targeted without any provocation. 

“Presence of police in full battle gear ahead of Namaz outside Jamia Masjid is a clear provocation for the youth who vent their frustrations by pelting stones on these symbols of the repressive state”, said sociologist Dr Sarfaraz Nabi”.

“Police resorted to intense pepper shelling and blood started oozing out from the mouth of Grand Imam, Syed Ahmed Syed. He had to be shifted to SMHS hospital for treatment”.

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