Scores of city traders on Saturday held a protest demonstration here demanding a “rehabilitation and compensation policy” for the traders affected by the widening of the road from Abdullah Bridge to IG Road.
The traders assembled at Press Enclave here under the banner “City Traders’ Guild Rajbagh.” Holding placards reading “frame policy for rehabilitation”, “lend a hand to save traders”, the traders raised slogans in favor of rehabilitation.
“We are not against any development project, but we want the government to do justice with those who are affected by these projects. We demand the government should frame a proper policy to rehabilitate us so that we are not left jobless”, said S A Rasheed, member of the guild.
“What will we feed to our kids if the government did not rehabilitate us?” he asked.
The traders alleged that the administration was going ahead with the demolition drives for these projects without having any rehabilitation plan for the affected. “We are worried for the future of our families”, said Hilal Ahmed, general secretary of the guild.
The protesting traders said they had apprised the authorities of their condition but so far nothing has been done to address their demand.
Meanwhile, they reiterated their appeal to the government to rehabilitate them.