SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) – an alliance of traders and businessmen – on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against the government’s large-scale sealing of commercial buildings across the valley.
A large number of traders, hoteliers, contractors, transporters and others took part in the demonstration.
They demanded that the government clearly look into the matter and unlock the buildings which have been sealed in the past month.
The authorities say they sealed commercials buildings which had been set up after obtaining permission for residential purposes.
Separately, the authorities have also sealed hotels that did not have Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) installed. The hoteliers want the STPs to be installed by the government, that too for a cluster of hotels.
Mohammed Yaseen Khan, Chairman of the KEA questioned the role of officials of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, LAWDA and other developmental authorities, who had authorised the commerical constructions.
He said the fact that the departments and officials that allowed the constructions in the first place are at the forefront while sealing them is an irony.
The KEA chairman warned that if the sealing drive continues it will have “disastrous consequences”. “Many self-employed ventures have been affected. This has left a lot of youth without work. Unemployment is already a huge issue among the educated here,” Mr Khan said while addressing the gathering.
The KEA has urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to come clear with a policy in this issue, and also the case of STPs, or face agitation.
Mr Khan expressed apprehensions about the drive saying it is only the valley which is being targeted on every front on different issues.
“This seems to be a designed conspiracy against Kashmir and its people…to crumble the economy and leave the people in a state of desperation,” he added.
