Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 5: With cold wave further intensifying across Kashmir valley, thousands of customers have thronged the famous weekly 3-km-long 'Sunday market' in the heart of the summer capital, Srinagar, who are busy purchasing warms cloths, including jackets and sweaters.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan warned strict action against miscreants who are deliberating spreading rumours to disrupt peace in the valley.
Hundreds of vendors have put up their stall in the weekly market from Radio Kashmir (RK), Srinagar, crossing to Hari Singh High Streets (HSHS), including historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the city, attracting thousands of buyers from different parts of the valley.
Braving chilly weather conditions, customers have come in large number this week to the market to buy warm clothes -- including jackets and sweaters, shoes and other products. "I have come from Budgam to make some purchases, including warm clothes for my kids, in this market," Muneeb Ahmad Khan told.
Khan said that this was the first time that he had come to this weekly market as due the economic slowdown following current situation in the valley, he could not afford making purchases from shops, which remain open for few hours in the morning. "You can't deny your kid of warm clothes in harsh winter because you hardly have any money due to the current situation. The rates are economical in this market and surprisingly one gets to choose from a variety of different products, including second hand foreign items," he added.
"The number of customers from last couple of weeks has witnessed an overwhelming increase due to availability of public transport. Now people from different parts of the valley come to this market and purchase goods according to their requirements," a vendor, selling jackets, told.
He said that everyone in the market is doing good business and hoped for the situation to remain peaceful so that they can earn their livelihood with dignity and honour.
The famous weekly market usually attracted thousands of customers from different parts of the valley. Business worth crores of rupees was done every week in the market in which goods, ranging from a hairpin to carpets, are sold on economical rates.
But, the weekly market was badly affected for about 10 weeks since August 5, when the Centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides divided the state into two Union Territories. Even though the market reopened in the first week of October, it started to regain its normal business only in the last week of November. |
