Traders and transporters continued to protest against the shifting of the General Bus Stand from Batamaloo to Parimpora. They threatened to launch an agitation if their demand is not met.
The transporters also continued with the shutdown in the Batamaloo area and said they would continue to oppose the shifting of the bus stand. The traders and transporters, under the banner of the All Traders’ Joint Coordination Committee, held a sit-in at Batamaloo.
As soon as the protesters started their march towards the civil secretariat, where the office of the Chief Minister is located, the police swung into action and used batons to disperse them. The police foiled the ‘Secretariat gherao’ attempt by the protesters and detained some of them.
“More than 5,000 shopkeepers will be affected due to the shifting. The government must think about them,” said a member of the Transporters’ Association.
“If the government goes ahead with the decision, we have no option, but to launch an agitation,” the protesters said.
The Kashmir Traders’ Federation spokesperson, Aijaz Shahdhar, said the shifting of the bus stand would affect the community and their livelihood. He appealed to the authorities to consider their genuine demand.
“It’s been decades that the shopkeepers are earning their livelihood here. Where will they go now? We hope that the government looks into the matter and the bus stand is not shifted,” he added.
No let up in strike against shifting of batamaloo bus stand
