Srinagar (KNO) : Shopkeepers at Regal Chowk here Thursday observed a one hour token strike against the traffic authorities accusing them of not allowing parking of vehicles by the people coming to the market for shopping purposes.
At around 12: 30 pm, a team of traffic cops appeared in the market and started towing the vehicles of the “ shoppers” who were in the shops, the shopkeepers said. The shoppers left the shopping midway and implored the traffic cops to release their vehicles, the shopkeepers said. The shopkeepers alleged that the move by the traffic police adversely affected their business. They as a mark of protest downed the shutters of their shops. “ We have repeatedly taken up the matter of roadside parking for shoppers with the higher ups. Despite nod from the divisional administration, authorities have failed to draw a plan and declare roadside as paid parking space for the shoppers,” said Farhan Kitab, president Regal Chowk Traders’ Association.
“ The local police intervened and assured us that it will take up the matter with the authorities concerned. It was after their assurance that we resumed the work,” he said. He said they had demand that the authorities should draw a yellow line for the roadside parking at the market. “ Even the customers are ready to pay nominal charges for brief parking as and when they want to shop goods from the market.