Srinagar- The shopkeepers at Masiuma Srinagar shut their shops in protest against the traffic department as traffic cops launched drive against wrong parking in the area.
The shopkeepers raised slogans against the traffic Department and alleged that some of the shopkeepers were beaten by the men in uniform.
However, officials of the traffic department negated these claims and said the shopkeepers resorted to stone pelting on its personnel.
Haseeb Ahmad, who runs a shop in the locality said in absence of a parking lot, the shopkeepers and customers are compelled to park their vehicles on roadsides.
“In the morning SMC launches an anti-encroachment drive, in the afternoon it is the traffic Department, it looks like they are after our businesses”, Haseeb said.
“The authorities are talking about Smart City but on ground they have failed to provide with basic amenities” he added.
The shopkeepers at Red Cross road allege that their customers are also being fined due to which people avoid coming to the market.
President of Traders Association Maisuma, Abdul Majeed Bhat, said that shoppers should be allowed to park their vehicles on the roadsides.
“The shopkeepers who are found parking their vehicles wrongly should also be fined, but only the customers should be exempted”, he said.
Maisuma a locality adjacent to Lal Chowk has emerged as a hub of car business in the last few years.
Scores of shops sell car accessories which authorities say creates traffic jam in the area.
Talking about the events that unfolded in Maisuma on Saturday, SSP Traffic Srinagar Muzaffar Ahmed Shah told Kashmir Observer it was a routine drive against wrong parking.
“The area hosts many car workshops, owners and the customers park their vehicles on the roadside which is against norms”, he said.
He further said that some people pelted stones were pelted at the police and an FIR has also been registered in this regard.
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