Srinagar, Mar 05: The shopkeepers in Maisuma area of Srinagar on Saturday closed down their shops after a shopkeeper was allegedly beaten by the traffic police officials when they were removing the illegal car parking from the roadsides.

According to the news agency agency–Kashmir news observer (KNO), a shopkeeper was allegedly thrashed when he tried to intervene after a customer’s vehicle was being fined for illegal car parking on the roadsides in Maisuma locality.

Soon after the incident, the shopkeepers closed down their shops as a mark of protest against the traffic police.

The shopkeepers held a protest and demanded the customers to be allowed to park the vehicles temporarily outside their shops.

The traders alleged that their businesses are being ruined as the market is completely dependent on vehicles, saying that those who visit their shops for shopping are coming in vehicles, thus action against them has affected their businesses directly.

President of Traders Association Maisuma, Abdul Majeed Bhat, said that the traders are not against the action with regard to illegal car parking, but at least those who are coming for shopping should be exempted.

He added that even the shopkeepers who are found parking their vehicles wrongly should also be fined, but only the customers should be exempted.

The president also condemned the thrashing of a shopkeeper, saying that such actions are unfortunate, adding that they have decided to close down their shops in three markets including Maisuma, Exchange Road and Red Cross Road till there is any solution with regard to the issue that has affected their businesses.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, City, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said they have stared drive against roadside encroachment due to illegal parking, adding that the shopkeepers park their vehicles outside their shops thus the department has been acting in this regard to put an end to the roadside encroachment. kno