Mufti rally throws traffic out of gear in Srinagar

Srinagar, Oct 28 (UNI) A public meeting in the heart of the city by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed threw traffic out of gear for several hours in the summer capital today.

There was total chaos on the roads and the people were put to severe hardships due to traffic restrictions.

Serpentine queues of vehicles were seen on many busy roads of the city. Vehicular movement was affected on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway at Pantha Chowk, Sonwar, Athwajan, Batwara Dalgate, Boulevard and Lal Chowk, the commercial hub of the summer capital.

Police had closed the stretch of the road from the Amar Singh Club to the Tourist Reception Centre as the rally was held in the Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium near the Burn Hall School here.

All vehicles were diverted towards Lal Chowk and other areas via Dalgate and Gupkar where the headquarters of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) are located.

Long queues of vehicles were seen on the busy Maulana Azad Road and the Residency Road as traffic moved at snail's pace. Traffic authorities failed to control the heavy rush of vehicles or check violation of norms.

Holding of rallies in the city have evoked severe criticism from the general public. The people have demanded that these public meetings to be held away from the summer capital so that they are not subjected to inconvenience.

''We fail to understand why these rallies and public meetings are held in the city. It affects our life very badly. We are put to severe hardships,'' said Mushtaq Ahmed, a government employee.

Amina Ali, a student, had even more strong words. ''These politicians should think about those patients who have to be rushed to various hospitals in the city in critical condition. They may die for want of medical help. We students also face many problems because of these rallies and public meetings. There is chaos and disorder everywhere,'' she said.

UNI AG YA DS1422