Srinagar: Citing ‘encroachment, the LG administration sealed more than 20 shops at Lal Chowk’s Aftab market in the heart of Srinagar city on Wednesday.
“2.7 Kanals of land was illegally occupied, where more than 20 shops were built,” an official told KNO.
"Authorities had received a complaint regarding the illegal occupation of land at Aftab Market where more than 20 shops were raised and eviction notices were also served to illegal occupants but they failed to vacate after which we started sealing the shop", he said.
However, the shopkeepers held a protest against the sealing and stated that they have been paying rent to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation and all of these shops were operating legally, a claim denied by authorities.
Also, 25 shops were sealed in north Kashmir’s Sopore over non-payment of rent.
(KNO)