Residents of Cantonment area staged a protest on Tuesday against Local Military Authority (LMA) alleging harassment of residents and traders and as part of protest local traders announced that market would remain closed until afternoon.
A large number of residents gathered in area carrying placards and raising demands against what they described as arbitrary actions by Local Military Authority and the main issue behind the protest is closure and restriction of certain roads within Cantonment area.
Councilor Puneet Bhartiya Shukla said that while Cantonment Board Chief Executive Officer functions under designated authority there has been excessive interference by Local Military Authority in matters related to Cantonment for a long time and according to Shukla some roads in Cantonment were already closed between 10 PM and 6 AM, it was further alleged that residents living in area are facing difficulties and that some people have even been stopped while going for walks.
Residents also raised concerns about checking operations being conducted in civil areas of Cantonment and alleged that officials of Local Military Authority have been carrying out checks on people in these areas and according to protesters such actions are creating inconvenience for local residents and visitors. Shukla further claimed that notices under "Order No. 73" are issued when residents attempt to construct houses however she said biggest concern among residents and traders is checking process which they believe is discouraging people from visiting Cantonment area. It was revealed that local businesses depend on visitors coming into the Cantonment and if people avoid area traders suffer financial losses and this has led to growing anger among residents and shopkeepers.
One resident participating in protest alleged that roads are being closed and checkpoints are being set up without proper communication causing inconvenience in daily life and the resident also claimed that many shoppers now prefer markets in nearby villages affecting business activity within the Cantonment.
The resident further alleged that when questions were raised about authority behind restrictions officials referred to "Order No. 87" and stated that directions had been issued under that order.
The protest remained peaceful with residents demanding that concerns of local community and traders be addressed.
