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| Defiance of protest calendar unnerves separatists | | Civil Lines shows way to end 'Hurriyat rule' | | ET Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 24: After over two months of continued unrest in Kashmir, the people of civil lines here have started openly defying the Hurriyat calendar, leaving the separatist leadership unnerved.
For the past few days, markets function as normal in areas like Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar and Sanat Nagar, while traffic movement is so high that traffic jams are witnessed frequently in these areas quite frequently.
Not only this, some shops are seen operational in Maharaja Bazar near the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, where otherwise stone pelting used to be observed till a fortnight back.
The markets at these places remain operational even though the separatist leadership had openly threatened the traders of these areas not to defy the protest program.
Last month Hurriyat Conference-G led by Syed Ali Geelani had threatened the traders of Sanat Nagar locality not to open their outlets.
In a veiled attack on separatist-turned-minister Sajad Lone, who lives near Sanat Nagar market, Hurriyat had told traders that the separatists know who was their "political master" behind the defiance of the hartal.
But the traders braved the protest calendar to keep the shops open. Subsequently, the wave of defiance spread to Raj Bagh and Jawahar Nagar areas.
The Hurriyat is so unnerved by the public "revolt", that earlier this week, Geelani had given Rajbagh Chalo, Jawahar Nagar Chalo and Sanat Nagar Chalo calls.
Sources in the separatist camps said the reason of this proposed protest march was to frighten the business fraternity of this area.
But while police foiled the Chalo call, the traders have been keeping their shops open. "Why should we go by the diktat of separatists or trade union leaders working on their behest. We've joined hands with a newly constituted economic forum, which is led by more sensible business leaders who don't want us get used at the hands of separatists," said some shopkeepers of Raj Bagh locality.
The traders said their newfound unity, with those who give a damn to separatists has reaped benefits. "By pleasing separatists and their pampered business leaders, we were into losses but now our markets are back to action," said a trader.
Wasim Ahmed, a Raj Bagh resident said their locality has become a torchbearer of defiance to Hurriyat diktats. "We will fight them and restore normalcy," saif Wasim a businessman.
Officials said police was willing to offer protection to shopkeepers whosoever are ready to defy protest program. "We have already issued a helpline numbers for every district. Prospective traders who want to resume business should call the numbers and we will provide protection and some other incentives," said a senior official. |
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