Srinagar, Mar 26: The residents and traders of Khayam area in Shahr-e-Khaas  on Saturday expressed resentment over demolition of shops there before “completion of the compensation process to pave way for road-widening.”
 The irked lot said for past many years they have been demanding to the government to compensate them properly and provide shops at alternative places so that their business is not affected.
 “While we are still negotiating with the authorities, they demolished a shop here. We are ready to shift, however, we should be properly rehabilitated,” a group of traders from Khayam told Greater Kashmir.
 Amina Begum whose shop Helpline Medicate was demolished today, accused the authorities of discrimination. “There are over 50 shops and houses from Dalgate to Nowpora which come under road widening. Ironically, my shop was targeted. The authorities had offered me Rs 7 lakh for the shop. However, we impressed upon the officials that this amount was not in tandem with the market rate and despite attempts we could not even purchase a shop. We had urged the officials to provide us with a shop at some other place. But they instantly demolished the shop,” she said.
 Meanwhile, the local traders Association has decided to take up the matter with the authorities.
 “We have taken strong note of the demolition drive at Khayam. In absence of proper rehabilation the drive is only aimed at snatching the livelihood of the traders. We have taken up the matter with our parent associations and will be meeting the concerned officials to resolve the issue amicably,” said Mushtaq Ahmad General Secretary of Al-Noor Traders Association Khayam.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST