Covid-19: Srinagar shops open for first time in months; but made to shut by police

Several shops opened in Lal Chowk and adjoining places here on Monday, the first time after the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

However, the shutters were down soon after as the police asked the shopkeepers to shut their shops.

Shopkeepers blamed the government for the “lack of clarity” even as all districts of Kashmir barring Ganderbal and Bandipora have been declared red zones.

“There was a lot of confusion as the government had earlier announced that restrictions would continue till June 8 only,” said Abdul Rauf, general secretary of the Magarmal Bagh Chowk Traders Federation.

“And today there was lot of vehicular movement due to the opening of offices…. due to which the shopkeepers too came out to open shops. Lal Chowk and several other main markets have remained shut ever since Covid-19 lockdown started and the government should come up with a plan so that we can resume business activities,” Rauf added.

As per the Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) estimates, the Covid-19 lockdown dented the Valley’s economy by Rs 8416 crore. Earlier, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) had pegged losses at Rs 17, 878 crore in the first 120 days after August 5, 2019, when abrogation of Article 370 sent normal life out of gear.

A shopkeeper wishing anonymity said shops in the interiors were opening while the main markets were shut.

“If you go to the interiors, you will see many shops open. It makes no sense to keep main markets like Lal Chowk shut. Shops on other main roads too continue to remain shut. We also have families to feed. We should be allowed to open while taking necessary precautions,” the shopkeeper said.

TNS