For NC rally, authorities close down Hazratbal, commuters aghast

Srinagar, Apr 9: The authorities Tuesday closed down the bus stand and the market around Hazratbal to facilitate the National Conference rally which witnessed a meagre crowd of just a few hundred workers.
In the wake of Lok Saba elections, the NC held a rally where party president, Farooq Abdullah addressed the gathering in a public park at Hazratbal on the banks of Dal Lake.
Authorities, however, closed the bus stand and markets in the surroundings of the venue.
After police barricaded the roads, traffic snarls were witnessed in Habak, Zukura, Dargah and other vicinities of Hazratbal.
“For the last one hour I am stuck in this cab. I had to reach office by 10 am. It is 12, I am still waiting here as the road is blocked due to this election campaign,” said Abdul Rashid, a passenger travelling in a public cab, who was stranded in traffic jam near Nigeen.
Rashid said that there is no other way to reach Habak other than this route. “We have no option other than to wait till the rally is over and the traffic is restored.”
Another passenger, Amir Amin said, “I had to reach SKUAST to attend an important workshop but couldn’t reach in time, as all the routes leading to the university were seized. A journey that usually takes 45 minutes took a horrendous 2.5 hours.”
All the shops at the Hazratbal were forced to close down in the wake of Farooq Abdullah’s election rally.
A shopkeeper at Hazratbal said that they were informed by the police a day before not to open shops on Tuesday.
“Large number of street vendors and fish sellers was also informed not to trade on Tuesday,” he said.