After 3 consecutive days of shutdown, Baramulla Traders call off strike

KL Report

SRINAGAR

After hectic in-house deliberations with almost all trade, economic and transport associations of Valley and an assurance from the administration that its  genuine demands would be fulfilled, the Baramulla  Traders Federation (BTF) on Sunday called off its strike that had crippled the town for the last three days. On the other hand administration also responded promptly releasing 15 youth from detention.

Er Tariq Mugloo general secretary of BTF told KNS that the strike has been called off after the district administration assurance that its genuine demands including compensation of damages suffered by various households during police raids would be fulfilled without any delay. “First we held a general meeting with our traders’ fraternities who had come from across the valley. The participants included Traders Federation Srinagar, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Contractors Association of Kashmir, Transporters coordination Committee Kashmir and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association,” he informed KNS.

Er Mugloo said that the meeting urged the administration to release all innocent youth who have been detained across valley particularly for the last few weeks in Bandipora, Sopore, Shopian, Srinagar and other places of valley. “The deputy commissioner Baramulla who met us yesterday has appointed committees headed by ADC Baramulla to assess the damages suffered by some families in old town Baramulla during raids carried out by police in last few days. The district administration has also assured us to look into our demand of transfer of SHO Baramulla,” Er Mugloo said.

He added that the traders’ fraternities who participated in the meeting took stock of the situation, met victim families in old town Baramulla and addressed public gathering in stadium colony and Kakarhamam in old town. “The traders’ bodies pledged full support to us in our fight against injustice. Meanwhile, the police released 5 youth on Saturday evening and 10 youth including Ghulam-u-Din Mir a shopkeeper, Abdul Rashid Halwaie and Omais Rasool Zargar have been released today,” Er Mugloo confirmed.

He said that the DC Baramulla has assured the BTF that first class executive magistrate will be accompanying police if they need to raid any house at any point of time. “We have also cooperated saying that we don’t condone violence and we will not create hurdles in normalizing law and order situation but our houses should not be ransacked and youth should not be arrested without following the proper procedures,” he added.

The BTF has also strongly condemned thrashing of voters in Baramulla, Sopore and its adjoining areas. Pertinently, the Baramulla Traders were up in arms against the alleged excesses and arrest spree during nocturnal raids in which scores of civilians were allegedly thrashed in the town. However, the police had clarified that no unlawful demands would be fulfilled.