Shahr-e-Khas Shuts in Protest

SRINAGAR: Hundreds of traders from Srinagar city amid shutdown on Saturday staged a peaceful protest in Nowhatta demanding immediate end to use of pepper gas and tear-gas shelling on the traders.

All shops and business establishments in the old city remained shut in wake of the strike call given by Shehar-e-Khas Traders Coordination Committee. The strike call was given against the rampant use of shelling and ransacking of shops allegedly by police in Jamia market on Friday.

Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of traders from Jamia Masjid, Saraf Kadal, Gojwara, Kawdawara, Hawal, Khanqah, Fateh Kadal and other areas assembled at Jamia Masjid. The traders took out a peaceful march and staged a protest in Nowhatta Chowk.

Talking to reporters Shehar-e-Khas Jamia Market Traders Association president Javid Ahmed Zargar condemned the use of pepper gas and tear smoke shelling on shopkeepers and transporters. He appealed authorities to put an end to the rampant use of shelling. The police should stop targeting traders and transporters. It is irony that during every clash traders are targeted without any provocation. It is a conspiracy to cripple the business in old city after every Friday prayers, Zargar said and thanked all the traders from Srinagar including Civil Lines for making the shutdown a success.

He warned that an agitation will be launched if police did not stop targeting shopkeepers.

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Besides a dozens of traders from Civil Lines area, Kashmir Traders Manufacturers Federation president Muhammad Sadiq Baqal also participated in the protest.

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