Flood-hit traders protest, demand relief

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 1

Members of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), a conglomerate of traders’ bodies, held a protest at the Press Enclave in Srinagar to demand relief for the flood-affected traders.

The agitating traders raised slogans in support of their demand and expressed concern over the apathetic attitude of the state and the Central governments. They also raised slogans against the governments for their alleged delaying tactics in paying relief to the flood-hit traders.

The leaders included KEA chairman Farooq Ahmad Dar, Sheikh Mohammad Yousuf, Haji Bashir Ahmad Mattoo, Aijaz Shahdar and Jaan Mohammad Koul.

Some of them were detained by the police and taken to the Kothi Bagh police station.

Some of the small traders or shopkeepers have been paid Rs 30,000 each by the coalition government, a KEA leader said. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured them of relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit, but nothing had been done so far.

The leaders lamented that the state government had failed to fulfill the promise and provide necessary relief to the flood-affected business community.