Suhail Khan
Several campaigns launched in the past week by Sopore administration, including allotment of exclusive market spaces, have created a political turbulence in the town with vendors still occupying roadsides and pavements in key commercial areas. Blame the politics and ulterior motives of few mainstream politicians and their workers!
However, administration has taken strong notice of the same and warned people involved in creating disturbance in the area.
SOPORE ADMINISTRATION
Everything is transparent on ground and those found involved in the nasty politics will be identified and strict action will be taken against them. The sole aim behind the relocation of vendors by administration is to develop the Sopore town. We don’t want any street vendor to suffer or his bussiness be affected, instead we are providing them a space to earn their livelihood. However, if they fall prey to mischievous elements or allow themselves to be misused by some people with vested interest, a strict action will be taken against both the vendors and the people instigating the vendors. We won’t allow any kind hooliganism in the town.
Kashmir Despatch talked to several stakeholders and who is who of Sopore and discussed the issue with them.
We found the youth of Sopore and other stakeholders supporting the change which is visible on ground!
The encroachment of roadsides by vendors has become a major problem in Sopore and has been blamed for shrinking the road space in the town, which is facing troubling traffic woes.
Trade Body President Qazi Hashmatullah
The move taken by Sopore administration must be hailed and accepted by one and the all as it gave residents of Sopore a space to breath.
“We can see a change in Sopore and we will support every such step taken by the administration that will be helpful for common masses. I oppose to all such unscrupulous elements who may create a ruckus by instigating the street vendors for their personal political gains. Sopore has suffered much due to this nasty political but we won’t let it happen again,” Qazi added.
He said that had this step been against common people or the street vendors, Sopore Traders federation would have opposed the move in the first place.
Economic Allaince Chairman Haji Mohammad Ashraf Ganai
I welcome this move of Sopore administration whole heartedly and congratulate administration especially ADC, SHO Sopore for this step. Sopore is witnessing a certain relief. There are hardly 200 street vendors of town and if a place has provided to them, then why they are creating a scene now. Our reports are that there are vendors who run shops also and are creating problem for others. This change is really need of an hour and we all should support this development and appreciate the move of Sopore adminstration.
It is sad that few mainstream politicians are intervening in this matter. But let me tell you, if any politician is found intervening in this matter, we will not remain silent this time.
Ashiq Hussain Zaki- General Secretary Civil Society Sopore
The step taken by Sopore administration is a historic one and for the first time, we saw a change and credit goes to ADC and SHO Sopore. I believe this change will not only provide relief to people of Sopore but will make our town look neat and clean. As general secretary of Civil Society, I assure you that we will also encourage street vendors and will publically announce their new location so that their business will not get effected.
Zaffar Ahmad- Welfare Society Kashmir Chairman
I appreciate this move. We can see visible change in the town. People are happy with this move and we will extend our support to administraion for any such development.
President Industrial Estates- Javid Ahmad
We are with the administration as this move is not only appreciated but it is a big change. Sopore has a problem, unfortunately we have few mainstream politicians who believe in vote bank politics and never supported development of the area. Today also, few of our mainstream politicians are reportedly using the street vendors for their nasty vote bank politics but time has changed now. Neither the people of Sopore nor the street vendors will allow such elements to ruin the town for their personal gains. We, the people of Sopore should realise that it is time to come forward and time to work for the development of our area. Today these street vendors may face inconvenience as they are not used to it but in the longer run they will be stasfied by earning their livelihood at one single place.
Anayuttullah Hajini- Coordination Committee
We appreciate administration for this move. If common masses are happy the obviously something good and appreciable has been done by the administration. We can appeal our Sopore admininstration to provide street vendors a proper place so that they can earn and their bussiness is not effected.
STUDENTS
This is really a big change happening in our town. Earlier a journey of 20 minutes would usually take us was one hour. Now we are witnessing a change in our town as there are no traffic jams at once busy Iqbal Market. We laud administration for this step and appeal them to continue such steps for the development of the town.
