DC Srinagar appeals Traders community to call off strike

Srinagar: Life came to stand-still in old city of Srinagar on Tuesday as the shopkeepers as well as common people staged a peaceful dharna in Gojwara against the spree of arrests of youth by police in general and particularly about the detention of President, Gojwara Bazar Committee, Asif Ali Qazi.
Superintendent of Police, City North told that Asif Ali Qazi is involved in various cases and he is being questioned by police at the moment. “He is not only involved in stone pelting but there were reports that he was front runner in instigating youth for violence,” SP, City North, Tahir Saleem said.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Nowhatta and its adjoining areas as shopkeepers and people erected a tent in the middle of the road and demanded the release of arrested youth. Complete shutdown was observed in Nowhatta, Khawaj Bazar, Gojwara, Hawal and other parts of old city. Agitated youth at number of places raised anti-police slogans and burnt down tyres on roads. Angry youth and women came on roads and demanded the immediate release of arrested youth. “During nocturnal raids, police has arrested dozens of youth while their relatives are not being allowed to meet them,” a protestor told.
All the members of Joint Coordination Committee Shaher-e-Khaas including, Center Bazar Committee, Nallah Mar Road shopkeepers, Rajouri Kadal shopkeeper, Islamia College shopkeepers, Gojwara shopkeepers, Kathi Darwaza shopkeepers, Buha_Ud-Din Sahib shopkeepers, Khawaja Bazar shopkeepers, Saida Kadal shopkeepers, Ranger Stop shopkeepers, Pandan shopkeepers, Malaratta shopkeepers, Bohri Kadal shopkeepers and Jamia Market shopkeepers participated in the sit-in claimed that police has let loose a reign of terror and it is even not sparing the business community now. “Our president is not involved in stone pelting. How can you believe that an elderly man with shoulder to shoulder with teenagers will pelt stones? There is no justification of his arrest and we will not open our shops till Asif Ali Qazi is not released,” one of shopkeepers said.
A trader told that they were called by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Baseer Ahmed Khan who assured them of his release. “DC Srinagar told us that he will personally look into the matter and we should call off our strike. But we refused to budge and categorically told the Officer that till the release of our president strike will continue,” he said.