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| Shops outside Geelani's residence show door to separatist sentiment | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 16: Even as the shops in the most of areas of Srinagar close down in the afternoon as a mark of so called protest against the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, the marketplace outside residence of firebrand separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani at Hyderpora here has shown the door to separatist sentiment.
While the markets had started doing full day business in most of the areas of Kashmir, following release of posters from some terror groups coupled with incidents of terror attacks, the markets now largely remain open till afternoon as the shopkeepers feel "scared of the terrorists."
In Hyderpora, however, the winds of change have started to blow. This locality which also houses the residence of the pro-Pakistan separatist now fully supports the decision of the Modi government.
Braving threat calls, the shopkeepers keep their establishments throughout the day. The move has encouraged the shops in adjoining areas to also remain open for full day.
Sources said the development has put Geelani and his cadres to severe embarrassment as the locality was otherwise often seen as hotbed of "separatist sentiment."
Officials said till a few months ago, it used to be a ritual in the area to follow the diktats of Geelani in "letter and spirit."
"Most of the fringe in the area used to be the workers of the Tehreek E Hurriyat led by Geelani but now things have changed and people have finally volunteered to behave like good citizens," said an official on the condition of anonymity.
The area traders said they were fed up of the separatist politics as it benefitted nobody but the separatists alone.
"His(Geelani's) own kids and grandkids are doing government jobs whereas we have to earn our livelihood by running shops. Unlike his kids and grandkids we cannot earn unless we work and thus we have decided to work," said a shopkeeper.
Sources said despite attempts made by the activists of Tehreek E Hurriyat to derail normalcy, the shopkeepers have decided to be the torch bearers of peace and prosperity. |
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