Srinagar: Police on Friday foiled the protest march of Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and detained scores of its members after they tried to march towards Civil Secretariat here.
KEA organized protest on fourth the anniversary of 2014 floods to highlight the government’s ‘callous attitude’ towards the Valley traders who they said were not rehabilitated since 2014 deluge hit Kashmir on this day in the year 2014
Holding placards, black flags and shouting slogans, the businessmen and traders led by Farooq Ahmad Dar assembled at Srinagar’s press enclave to lodge their protest after holding a sit-in at Press colony Srinagar.
As soon as the protesters tried to march towards Residency road, police intercepted them and detained them.
Talking to reporters, Dar said that the protest was to show government that they can’t take trade bodies and people for granted as they are united for the common cause of economic development.
“We are working for economic development of the state. Government can’t ignore the business sectors which are engines of economic growth,” said Dar.
Co- Chairman KEA Farooq Ahmad Dar said government wants to weaken the Valley’s economic sectors.
He said the shopkeepers have not been compensated after the floods for which government should be ashamed off.
“We boost the state’s economy. Government should take trader-friendly measures but instead it is taking such steps which only weaken them,” said Dar
KEA Chairman M Y Chappri said the protest did not have any political motive as the call was purely to seek compensation against damages caused due to floods. “We wanted to take peaceful protest just to remind government of its responsibilities. Government should understand that business community is united and they will seek compensation at any cost,” said Chapri.
