The traders of Downtown condemned the police action on worshippers inside Jamia Masjid on Friday, saying the “excesses” committed by the government forces and frequent curbs imposed by the authorities were taking a toll on their business.
Chairman, Shehar-e-Khaas Traders’ Coordination Committee, Nazir Ahmad Shah said the frequent restrictions imposed by the authorities have derailed the business in the old city.
“When the government has announced ceasefire for this month, why there was heavy police deployment around the Masjid?” Shah asked.
Shah said large presence of police and security forces at the central mosque on a usually busy day like Friday creates “a sense of fear among traders as well as shoppers.”
He said: “Police action has caused desecration of the revered place and we condemn it.”
Shah also decried the frequent curbs imposed by authorities in the downtown saying the old city is “caged” even when life in rest of Kashmir remains “normal”.
He said at least 30 markets spread across the old city areas remain frequently under curfew.