Police on Thursday used water cannons to foil the protest march of transporters and traders to Civil Secretariat from here against the shifting of General Bus Stand (GBS) Batamaloo to Parimpora.

Police also detained scores of protesting transporters and traders who were on way to Civil Secretariat from Batamaloo here to press the government over their demands of re-shift of Bus stand to GBS Batamaloo.

Amid anti-government sloganeering, dozens of Valley transporters and traders holding banners and placards marched towards the CS here in this morning.

However, police foiled their attempt on way to Civil Secretariat by using water cannons.

Earlier, the transporters accused the government of having a ‘deaf and dumb’ approach towards them and demanded immediate fulfillment of their demands.

“The shifting of GBS Batamaloo to Parimpora has resulted in the hardships to the general public including the transporters here,” they said, adding that the government with their callous approach are forcing them to take streets.

They demanded that keeping in view of the sufferings of the general public and the transporters, the government should review its order at earliest so that the people could feel a sigh of relief.

The protesters later tried to march towards Civil Secretariat.

However, police swung into action and used water cannons to foil their attempt. They also detained scores of protesting transporters.

Meanwhile, the Batamallo traders nearer to the GBS observed complete shutdown today to mark a protest against what they termed as the ‘anti-people decision’ by the government.

All the shops and other business establishments remained closed throughout the day.

Guest