Street vendors Monday staged a protest here, demanding ‘rehabilitation.’Scores of street vendors assembled in Press Enclave Srinagar and amid anti-Government slogans said that sudden crackdown by the government has left them without any income for the past week.Pertinently, to pave way for the smooth traffic in the city authorities have initiated action against the street vendors who had been illegally occupying vital spot across city, thus hampering free-flow of traffic.“We are the registered vendors. We appeal government to rehabilitate us on priority basis. It was the duty of the government to rehabilitate us before forcing us to vacate from our respective points,” said a protesting vendor to CNS.They said that authorities want to rehabilitate them at what they call ‘unviable’ sites.
“The sites we are being offered are secluded ones where customers can barely visit,” they said.They appealed Chief Minster Mehbooba Mufti to personally intervene and direct concerned authorities to rehabilitate them at suitable places.Bashir Ahmed Khan, Commissioner SMC told CNS that they have asked all the foothpath and roadside vendors to close their illegal business for two weeks. There are 2910 registered vendors and we will relocate them at suitable places. It will take some two weeks to develop markets for these vendors. Last year we had done Adhar Linked Registration of these 2910 vendors and except these registered vendors nobody will be accommodated in the coming up markets,” Khan said and added that till markets are developed, vendors will stay at home. (CNS)