Srinagar, May 21 : In a major innings, the historic Jamia Bazaar in the city was first open in 35 years on May 21, which broke a decades -old tradition of closure on the anniversary of Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammad Farooq.
In coordination with the Market Association and AWQAF Committee, this change was made possible through continuous efforts by the Srinagar Police under the Community Policing Initiative.
The market was closed annually since Mirwaiz’s murder in 1990. But this year, the continuous dialogue and confidence between the police and the local stakeholders took a mutual decision to open the market.
A senior police officer told Rising Kashmir, “It was not about forcing a decision. It was about working with the community, working, attractive and working together to create a respectable balance between tradition and civil life.”
He said that community policing lies in partnership, and cooperation with traders and AWQAF committee shows a collective will to move forward, while still respecting the past.
Local shopkeepers shared a uniform scene, calling the move a step towards stability.
A businessman said, “There remains a sense of remembrance,” but we also need to ensure that our livelihood and daily life cannot be stopped indefinitely. ,