PDP legislator blames administration
Shutdown resumed in Pulwama on Thursday after the administration allegedly backtracked from its word with residents to release the arrested youth and allow installation of plaque for slain militants.The representatives of Pulwama town said they had called off the shutdown on Wednesday after the assurance of the administration that they will be allowed to erect a simple sign post here at a local graveyard.
“The decision was taken after we were assured by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir that people here will be allowed to erect a simple signpost in two or three days after calling off the shutdown,” said President Traders Federation, Pulwama, Bashir Ahmad Wani.
He said people were ready to open the market. “Shopkeepers cleaned their shops and were preparing to come to business again,” he said, adding later in the evening they were conveyed by police that authorities won’t allow them to erect the signpost.
“On Thursday morning during Fajr prayers people were informed about the latest development and they decided to continue the shutdown,” he said, adding the authorities backtracked from their assurances after youth circulated messages on various social networking sites that they made authorities to yield to their demand.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator, Muhammad Khalil Bandh, said the administration has ‘failed’ to deliver on its promises to the people.
Bandh said he approached Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani to resolve the crisis.
“Even after the promises made by the administration to release arrested youth and install a small sign board, no such step has been taken so far to resolve the issue,” MLA Pulwama said.
Extending his support to the people, he said, “I appeal the higher ups to resolve the issue at earliest so that the deadlock ends.”
He said people agreed to the promises made by the administration higher ups over couple of issues, including installation of the sign board at Shaheed Park, release of youth and other things. “But the inhabitants of the district were left to suffer as no promise was fulfilled. Higher ups in the administration told me that they will visit the district but no one came here,” he said.
He said the day shutdown started, every local of the area including labourers, patients, traders, school going children have become the worst sufferers. “I urge the higher ups to fulfill the demands of people so that normal life returns here,” he said.
A trader, wishing anonymity said the administration and police “backtracked” from its promise with us barely hours after a meeting of the district representatives with Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, IGP Kashmir, Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gilani, and Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Neeraj Kumar in Srinagar on Wednesday.
DC Pulwama, Neeraj Kumar said the traders have called off the strike. Asked about the resumption of strike today, he said “talk to the traders.” He preferred to remain silent and asked to contact Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir in this regard.
All shops in the main town Pulwama except those dealing with drugs and medicines remained closed for 15th consecutive day. Public transport also remained off the roads.
