A joint coordination committee (JCC) of Kashmir traders and transporters said on Sunday that the decision banning civilian traffic on the Baramulla-Srinagar-Jammu highway for two days a week “will have an adverse impact on the Kashmir economy”.
Addressing a joint press conference here, JCC chairman AbrarKhan said the decision to ban civilian traffic is “bereft of any logic”. “Thisdecision is directly aimed at inflicting financial miseries on the people ofKashmir. Otherwise even in war zones, public traffic is not banned to pave wayfor army convoys,” he said.
“Every day, a business of minimum Rs 150 crore is recordedin Kashmir. Therefore, such a ban willmean Kashmir traders will suffer massive losses,” Khan said, adding that morethan one lakh people associated with the transport sector will lose two workingdays, which means a loss of 30 percent in their earnings.
“Similarly, our horticulture export and import of perishablegoods are being halted,” he said, urging the world community to take note ofproblems being faced by the people of Kashmir.
The press conference was attended by members of Batmalootraders’ association, which condemned the highway ban.
Meanwhile, retailers and shopkeepers from various areas ofSrinagar Sunday staged a protest against the highway traffic ban.
The protesting retailers and vendors, who shoutedpro-justice slogans, had gathered at press enclave here and said the governmentwas “responsible for creating a slump in the market due to the highwayclosure”.
Scores of shopkeepers and retailers, including Nepali womenvendors, said the government should revoke the highway ban as it has affected thecustomer footfall.
“The highway lockdown has resulted in fear amongshoppers. 90 percent people living farfrom the Srinagar city are not able to reach here, which ultimately is ourloss, because we are nothing without customers,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a protester.
“Why can’t the government facilitate movement of convoysduring night or ferry forces personnel by trains?” he asked.
The protesters demanded immediate revocation of the banorder.
Another protester from Sir Muhammad Iqbal vegetable mandinear Tatoo Ground Batamaloo said the highway closure will halt desired supplyof commodities to traders, which will in turn lead to a price hike.
“In view of this ban, it is obvious that prices ofcommodities in retail markets will rise,” he said.
Bashir Ahmad, another protester, said restrictions ontraffic movement will create a hurdle in delivery of essentials to the city.
“Parimpora fruit and vegetable mandi which receives almost150 truckloads of perishables from outside the Valley did not receive anysupplies on Sunday,” he said.
“Traders in the mandi have been pushed to the wall. The highway blockade will add to our losses,” he said.
SAQIB MALIK