Shifting of bus stand: police foils march to CM’s residence in Srinagar

Srinagar, Sept 23: Security forces today resorted to lathicharge to foil march to Chief Minister’s residence by traders and transporters, protesting against the shifting of General Bus Stand (GBS) at Batmaloo to Parimpora on the city outskirts. Several protesting traders and transporters were taken into preventive custody when they refused to disperse and continued their march. A complete shutdown in Batamaloo area in civil lines continued for the 17the day against the shifting of the bus stand. Hundreds of traders and transporters took to the street at Press Enclave near here demanding shifting of bus stand to Parimpora only after providing them shops and other facilities there. However, security force deployed in the area stopped them from moving towards the CM’s residence at Gupkar before they could hit the main Residency road. As the protestors didn’t back down, security forces resorted to lathicharge to disperse them. Later, security forces arrested scores of traders and transporters, including leaders of various trade unions. They have been lodged in a local police station. All shops remained closed in and around the GDS from the last 17 days against the government action on the directions of the High Court. “If traffic is the only issue, why didn’t the government construct a road from Toto ground to outskirts as promised by former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed,” a member of the Iqbal trade union told UNI. He said the traders want that the bus stand should be moved to Parimpora only when traders are allotted shops there. “Everyone knows the pace of government work. We will face starvation if we were not provided shops before the shifting of the bus stand to Parimpora." He said over 5,500 shopkeepers are earning their livelihood who will be affected because of the shifting of the bus stand. “More than 10,000 to 15,000 families will face starvation because this move by the government without properly rehabilitating the shopkeepers. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti should fulfill the promise made by her father with us,” he added. UNI