Srinagar
Jamia Masjid Traders, and Kashmir Traders and Manufactures Association and prominent citizens of Shehr e Khaas on Thursday staged a peaceful sit in at Nowhatta against repeated imposition of strict curbs in down town Srinagar and converting it into a military fortress almost every Friday to disallow congregational Friday prayers and barring Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from addressing the Friday sermon at the historic Jamia Masjid.
The traders said that curfew and restrictions are arbitrarily and frequently imposed by the Government at will caging the entire population of downtown that has seriously cast a shadow on the economy and trade of downtown, which is considered the oldest business hub of Kashmir.
Besides, traders from various other organizations also participated in the protest against laying siege around Jamia on Fridays and damaging the economy of the oldest business centre. The protesting traders also demanded immediate release of incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
The traders in unison said that such deliberate assaults on our religious institutions and cultural and economic centers are unacceptable and wont be tolerated. The traders warned the government that if it does not withdraw these repressive measures, protests will be intensified and the entire blame of consequences will lie on the government They also warned that if iron-fist policy continues on part of the government, the traders bodies across Kashmir will join hands and start Kashmir-wide protest campaign.
