Only shops selling essentials to open on July 29, 30 in Srinagar

M Amir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 28

Despite prior announcement of three-day relaxation for Eid shopping, restrictions continued to remain in place on Tuesday in the city markets. The government also announced that only essential services shops would be allowed to open for two days from tomorrow so that residents could buy goods for Eid-ul-Adha being celebrated on August 1.

“Eid festival: Essential services shops to open from 9 am to 5 pm on July 29 and 30 in Srinagar. Shops to open with strict adherence to Covid-19 preventive guidelines. Maximum penalties in the form of sealings and fines ordered against violations,” The Srinagar District Administration announced on its Twitter handle.

The announcement left both residents and shopkeepers surprised.“I don’t understand this. Essential services shops are still open, otherwise people would have died. What logic is this?” said Kamran Javed, a local.

Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, had earlier stated that there would be a three-day relaxation from July 28 to 30 prior to Eid to allow people to buy sacrificial animals and other goods. However, he had also stated that respective District Commissioners would issue separate guidelines to ensure implementation of Covid-19-related standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The shopkeepers, who were hoping that business activities will resume, were left fuming.

Kashmir Trade Alliance president Aijaz Shahdhar said the government should reconsider its decision.

“We were hoping that shops will open today but again we are left disappointed. The government should reconsider its decision and allow the shops to open,” he said.