Srinagar: Vendors Tuesday protested outside the residence of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here demanding that the government should immediately allot space in the city to run their business.
Scores of vendors held a protest in Lalchowk and then moved to Gupkar outside the CM’s residence to lodge their protest. The vendors were removed from the city to clear roads and footpaths which they had encroached by their stalls and carts.
The agitating vendors said that when the government removed them from the busy roads and business centers, they were promised that after Assembly session ended they will be allowed to carry out their work. “But the government backtracked from its promise. When we resumed our vending business after the Assembly session, the police and municipality officials did not allow us. They removed our carts and stalls,” they said.
They claimed that PWD Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari had assured them that the government will allot a separate space in the city for running their business. “But when we went to meet him, his security persons did not all us. They said that the minister has asked them not to allow us inside,” they alleged.
They said that their vending is their only means of livelihood and the government was snatching it form them. “Our children and other dependents solely survive on what we earn in selling small items on carts. If we are not allowed, where will we go,” they said.
The said that the government should lend ear to their grievances and allot them a separate space work. (KNS)
