Doda, Aug 3: Mountainous township of Doda district observed partial shutdown on the second consecutive day today in protest against the district administration’s move granting permission to some non-locals to open fair price shops in the area.
Shops in most of the areas remained closed throughout the day on the second consecutive day today. The strike call has been given by a faction of Beopar Mandal Doda, which is opposing the move of the district administration.
Locals here say that some outsiders have been cheating the people by organizing sale exhibitions in the township. This, they said, also create problem for the local traders. Now the district administration has allowed some non-locals to open fair price shops in the locality, they said adding that this move will also lead to the losses for the local businessmen.
However, the district administration justified the move saying the competition will only benefit the customers. “People are getting essential commodity items on cheaper prices. Why this should be a problem for few people?”, a senior officer said here.
However, the Beopar Mandal has threatened to intensify the agitation in case the permission was not revoked.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST