Srinagar Dec 6: Imposing severe restrictions in and around Lal Chowk to prevent any possible “disturbance” may have some security sense, but every time it is done it costs heavily to the traders’ community.
 Criticising the government for imposing severe restrictions in Lal Chowk area and around “to prevent mourners from taking out Muharram processions” today, the traders alleged that such restrictions have now become common with the government to deal with peculiar situations.
 Muhammad Yaseen Khan, President Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers’ Federation (KTMF) told Greater Kashmir on phone that the government by imposing such “unwarranted” restrictions is doing a great harm to the businessmen and great damage to the overall business atmosphere.
 “It is very unfortunate that the authorities have imposed undeclared curfew in the commercial hub of the city today though they had yesterday assured that no restrictions or curfew would be imposed in the area,” he said.
 “We are already suffering as business opportunities in Kashmir are very limited and by imposing such restrictions government is rubbing salt on our wounds,” Khan complained.
 Abdul Hamid Punjabi, President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) said: “Such restrictions are against the democratic rights of the people. The business community is the worst sufferer of such restrictions.”
 “These restrictions cause losses worth tens of crores of rupees to the business community while the government is not compensating even a penny,” Punjabi said.
 Ghulam Muhammad, a tea stall owner at Lal Chowk was dejected when he was stopped by the paramilitary forces near radio Kashmir and asked to go back home.
 “I came all the way from Ganderbal to reach my tea stall in Lal Chowk as I was not aware about any kind of restriction imposed by the government,” he said.
 Manzoor from Islamabad (Anantnag), a street vendor who sells kangris (fire pots) near Hari Singh High Street here was also among the disappointed lot. “Yesterday the government said there won’t be any restrictions so I came all the way from my home to earn my livelihood. But it was all in vain as I had to return home disappointed,” Manzoor said.
 He said: “I was hoping that today I will do good business but because of these restrictions I could not do my business.”
 Meanwhile there were also complaints from the drivers saying because of the restrictions they could not run their vehicles smoothly.
 Aijaz Ahmad who has recently purchased a vehicle said: “I have raised a loan to purchase this vehicle. But once I don’t earn anything how can I pay?”
 Pertinently, witnesses said that police had today laid barricades at Jehangir Chowk and near Radio Kashmir.  “Cops were not allowing people to move towards the city centre,” they said.
 “Huge contingents of police and paramilitary CRPF men were deployed around sensitive locations in the city centre. Shops and business establishments remained closed while traffic was off the roads,” they said.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST