Batamaloo Bus Stand employees to stage protests

After Jammu and Kashmir High Court asked the authorities to seal the Batmaloo Bus Stand, the employees at the General Bus Stand also known as Western Bus Services have decided to go on a peaceful strike against the decision.

The Western Bus Service Union along with the Batmaloo Shopkeepers Union have alleged that the officials at various departments have misled the court about the facts.

“We have decided to hold the peaceful protest about the decision,” said Bilal Ahmad, General Secretary, WBS.

The WBS officials alleged that the court haven’t officially ordered them to evacuate as they have not received any official letter from the court.

“We went to the court after we came to know about the order but they asked us to come after three days,” Bilal said.

Meanwhile, Batmaloo Shopkeepers Union has appealed to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to intervene in the matter. The Union fears that the transfer of transporters will render them jobless.

“We solely depend on the transporters for our customers. We can’t do any business without them as they are our backbone,” said Muhmmad Ashraf, President of Batmaloo Shopkeepers Union.

However, the shopkeepers haven’t been asked to move from their place but they fear that the sealing of bus stand will hit their business.

Meanwhile, around 2500 shopkeepers work in and around the Batmaloo Bus stand whose business will hit if the bus stand is being shifted to Parimpora.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday ordered the authorities to seal the Batamaloo Bus stand.

Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey ordered Vice Chairman (VC) Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) to ensure that the Batamaloo Bus stand is sealed.

The directions came after RTO Kashmir, who was present, told the court that as of now notified Bus Stand under Motor Vehicles Act is located at Parimpora and not at Batamaloo.

“If the Bus stand is still operational at Batamaloo, it is illegal,” the court observed.  

 

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