MUZAFFARABAD, April 22: Angry protesters burnt tyres and laid obstacles on roads as the city observed a crippling strike on Saturday on relief and reconstruction related issues.
The strike was called by the United People’s Front, an alliance of local organisations, to press the government to meet the demands of quake survivors.
Although the educational institutions and government offices were open, shops and businesses remained closed and traffic remained off the roads in almost all parts of the city from morning to afternoon.
“It’s a complete strike and shows the unanimity of the survivors regarding their basic demands,” resident Zulfiqar Baig remarked.
Police removed burning tyres and concrete masses from the roads in different areas of the town.
Hundreds of people, mostly youngsters, also took out a rally from Uppar Adda, chanting slogans in support of their demands.
The protesters asked the government to increase the amount of compensation money and give it in one instalment through the local committees instead of the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority.
“It is a declared calamity hit area and the government has to treat and facilitate us accordingly,” said religious leader Syed Kifayat Hussain Naqvi at the rally.
