Sopore, Sep 05: Street vendors in north Kashmir’s Sopore town can finally breathe a sigh of relief after enduring a 20-day struggle as the local administration has identified a suitable location for them to resume their daily work.
Previously, a majority of street vendors were accommodated at Iqbal market in the town, but approximately 85 vendors were restricted from setting up their stalls near the Girls Higher Secondary School.
However, the persistent protests by these vendors caught the attention of the administration.
Street vendor association in Sopore said that the administration resolved the issue by designating Main Chowk as the new location for the vendors to conduct their business.
Mohammad Maqbool Bisati, the president of the street vendors, expressed gratitude to all those who supported their cause throughout the challenging 20-day struggle.
“We are sincerely thankful to all our well-wishers who finally understood our hardships and took steps to properly accommodate us after our lengthy battle,” said Bisati.
A team from the local administration, led by the Assistant Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Sopore, along with the CEO of the Municipal Council and other officials, visited the vendors and ensured their relocation to Main Chowk.
Describing the hardships they endured during the struggle, Bisati said they faced numerous challenges and false hopes, at times feeling helpless and desperate. He questioned the “injustice” faced by the street vendors, asking, “Is it our fault to be poor? Where did we go wrong?”
ADC Sopore, Shabir Ahmad Raina, assured that the issue has been effectively resolved, and those vendors who were yet to find accommodation will now be able to install their stalls at the Main Chowk.
ADC Sopore emphasised that the livelihood of these underprivileged vendors will remain a priority for the administration, promising continued support in a genuine manner.
