Srinagar, 29 November: (KNS) The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag (Retd) Justice Hasnain Masoodi on Sunday condemned the demolition drive alongside National highway at Awantipura, saying the measure has reportedly flaunted rules putting the fate of scores of shopkeepers in lurch.

Party’s Member of Parliament from Anantnag was today called on by a delegation of shopkeepers, whose shops were raised down in a demolition drive carried on National highway at Avanti Pura. The visiting delegation apprised the Member of Parliament about their predicaments, which they are facing in wake of the demolition drive, which they maintained flaunted all orders. They also said that they had been deprived of their livelihood, which they used to eke out by selling petty merchandise on the shops. The visiting delegation also said the undue action of the administration has despoiled the merchandise in their respective shops incurring extra loses to them.

Masoodi, after giving patient hearing to the pleas of visiting delegation made a phone call to divisional commissioner Kashmir and acquainted him about the predicaments, which the affected shopkeepers are facing on account of the demolition drive. "I urged the divisional commissioner to inquire into the matter that has reportedly flaunted government orders and restore status co ante until the findings of the inquiry surface. In the event if the shopkeepers are to be removed then the administration should give them alternate places to established their shop. I impressed upon the divisional commissioner to compensate the losses to affected shopkeepers,” he said.

Masoodi also impressed upon the divisional commissioner to entertain the pleas of affected shopkeepers so that their livelihood doesn't get affected.(KNS)