Govt buckled as traders wielded pressure, says Omar
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the state government allowed prayers in Jamia Masjid only after traders threatened an indefinite strike if prayers were not allowed in the grand mosque.
“The threat of the local traders that they would go on an indefinite shutdown is what forced the government to allow prayers today,” Omar wrote on his Twitter handle.
Pertinently, shopkeepers and other businessmen from the area hit the streets on Thursday and threatened to launch agitation if they were not allowed offer Friday prayers and business in the Jamia Market and adjoining areas.
The traders complained that the grand mosque and the adjacent market remains under restrictions, particularly on every Friday during the past two months.
KV Correspondent
