Eid shoppers flock to markets in Srinagar
CLOTHES, BAKERY PRODUCTS ON TOP OF THE LIST OF BUYERS; SLUMP IN TRADE UNPRECEDENTED, CLAIMS TRADERS’ BODY PRESIDENT
SRINAGAR : The markets across Kashmir were thronged by people on Tuesday to shop for Eid-ulazha, which will be observed across the state on Wednesday.
Clothes, bakery products were on the top of the list of the buyers. Sacrificial animals selling in the old city also witnessed heavy footfall but sales were dampened due to overpricing. The sales and overall trade ahead of the festival was not up to the mark, as per the market watchers.
Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance and president of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation Muhammad Yaseen Khan said the slump in trade has been profound and unprecedented.
“In the last 40 years of my business, I have never seen such a decline as it has been in the case of this festival,” Khan said, adding that usually 10 days ahead of the festival there is hustle bustle but now there is no such activity.
He said after effects of September 2014 floods, conflict, demonetisation, implementation of GST and finally the ‘uncertainty’ over Article 35 A are some of the reasons behind less fervour among people. A bunch of petitions in the Supreme Court against the Article 35A of the Constitution, which empowers the state’s legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them, have triggered a wave of anger across Kashmir. Separatists have already called for two-day shutdown on August 26 and 27 when the case is scheduled to be heard.
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said Eid-ul-azha has arrived at a time when there is an “all out assault on our identity and citizenship rights” and urged people to “remain rock solid to foil all bids aimed at changing the demography of the state.”
He urged all sections of the society to “refrain from extravaganza and observe Eid with austerity.”
A resident of old city Srinagar Noor Mohammad said as the state is in crisis, people are cautious in spending money. Governor N N Vohra has extended greetings to the people on Eid-ulazha and prayed for their wellbeing.