Flood-hit traders observe shutdown

Private commercial establishments in and around the main commercial hub of the city were closed today to protest the alleged failure of the government to rehabilitate traders affected by the September 2014 floods.
Most of the shops and business establishments in Lal Chowk and the areas around it remained shut on the call of a faction of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF).
The KTMF faction led by Bashir Ahmed Rather accused the government of backtracking from its promises of rehabilitating the flood-hit traders.
The traders body alleged that the government's move to provide interest subvention instead of compensation is an attempt to deny any financial aid to small traders.

They warned the government that they would take extreme steps if it does not take their demands seriously.
Another faction of KTMF, led by Yaseen Malik, stayed away from the strike, saying the business community was yet to get any formal response from the government.
"We will seek details from Raj Bhawan about the decision over the long-pending rehabilitation of flood-hit traders and take a decision accordingly," the faction said.