Shoppers throng market to buy essentials, street vendors still missing
Gowhar Nazir
Srinagar, Oct 24 : After remaining closed for 79 consecutive days, the morning market has come alive at the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar from last three consecutive days. The market remained shut since August 05, when the central government repealed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (Article 370) bifurcated the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UT’s).
According to wire service, the shopkeepers whose shops are located around the Grand Masjid, Srinagar resumed their business after the gap of 79 days. Witnesses said that the shopkeepers are opening their shops during the ‘morning deal’, which starts from 07 am to 09 am. However, the roadside vendor stalls continued to remain closed even from last 81 days of uncertainty in Kashmir.
The market witnesses a buzz again soon after the gates of Jamia Masjid reopened, which remained closed since Aug 05. With the resumption of business at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar a heavy rush of shoppers were seen busy in buying the essentials.
“The Jamia market resumes the business only for few hours in the morning and remains closed for the rest of the day,” witnesses said.
Faheem Mir, a shopkeeper at Jamia Masjid told that the decision of resumption of business was taken by the association with the strict operational guidelines for the conduct of business. He further said, “The business around Jamia Masjid remains operational for just 3 hours in the morning and right after 10 am, the market shuts down for the rest of the day.”
Arif Ahmad, a roadside vendor at Jamia Masjid said, “ The limited three-hours morning deal does not suits our business as it takes us near about two hours to set up our stalls, so because of the limited hours we are still off from our business.”
He said that, with the resumption of business at Jamia Masjid, the business fraternity is optimistic about the future course of action in the region. He further added, “May be within some days we may also resume our business here by opting out a way out which will save our time in setting up the stalls.” (KNO)
