Various markets in the business hub of Karan Nagar observed a complete shutdown on Monday. The traders accused IG Traffic Basant Rath of carrying out “arbitrary action” by leading a demolition drive “without a prior notice”. Rath, accompanied by an enforcement team of Srinagar Municipal Corporation, on Monday demolished various roof extensions of shops and other constructions in presence of a large police contingent. The demolition drive continued till late Monday afternoon, locals said.
President Traders Federation Karan Nagar, Ajaz Shahdhar in a statement condemned the action by IG Traffic. “We always stand by law and any action taken by the authorities should have followed after serving the notice to the concerned shopkeepers but now-a-days in Kashmir real and practical things never work for the authorities who permit every construction first and then become the part of encroachment team to save their skin,” said Shahdhar.