Traders, transporters and vendors associated with the tourism sector in Sonamarg area held a protest demonstration against the authorities on Saturday for not allowing them to start business activities at zero-point Zojila.
Chanting slogans in favour of their demands, the protestersblocked Srinagar-Leh highway at Gagangeer resulting in traffic jam.
Protesters were demanding opening of zero-point, a hillresort on the Srinagar-Leh highway at Zojilla.
“What is the logic behind prohibiting us from carrying outtourism related activities at zero-point but allowing movement of light motorvehicles in the same area,” the protesters asked.
“If vehicles are allowed towards Kargil, why are localsand tourists being stopped and not allowed?” they said. “Our touristrelated business depends upon this place which is presently not allowed despitere-opening of the highway.”
Later Additional SSP Ganderbal and Tehsildar Gund reachedthe spot and pacified the protesters after assuring them redressal of theirgrievance.
Masrat Hashim SDM Kangan told Greater Kashmir that road tozero-point was avalanche prone and “our priority is safety of people.”