Avinash Azad
Jammu, Feb 1: Much hyped Indian Science Congress (ISM) at Jammu University starting from Monday is likely to witness exchange of ideas between scientists from various parts of country, but shopkeepers and habitants residing in adjoining areas of JU are likely to face worst restrictions in their daily life.
Shopkeepers of Bikram Chowk, Jammu University road, opposite Zorawar Singh Auditorium informed Early Times that they have been strictly ordered by police authorities to shut down their business establishments from February 2 to February 7. "We have kept several employees for running our business. Now we are asked by Police to shut down our shops for six days. Who will pay us the loss, likely to be incurred by us for six days", a shopkeeper said.
Another shopkeeper said that several events were organized at Jammu University in past also but not such restrictions were imposed by authorities. "It is the responsibility of Government to provide security cover but instead of providing security, the police have only one option to close all establishments to avoid any untoward, which is totally irrational and dictatorial", another shopkeeper rued, adding "In a democracy, every person is equal, but is it a democracy that curfew like situations get prevail in several areas, whenever there is VIP movement in any part of country or Jammu and Kashmir", he said.
Sources informed that Police officials of concerned police stations/chowkis have been instructed to ensure shutting down of all shops at Jammu University road, Bikram Chowk to Amar Singh Club, opposite of Jorawar Singh auditorium, and on Gujjar Nagar bridge to shut down all establishments. |
