March 30, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 10, 1428

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MUZAFFARABAD, March 29: Business centres, markets and shops remained closed in Muzaffarabad and Neelum districts on Thursday in protest against plans to relocate the state capital.

Medical stores were also closed and vendors remained off street.

The shutter-down strike was part of the “Save Capital Movement” launched by political and religious parties and social, trader, student and lawyer organisations after Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan announced last year that state-level offices would be relocated along the Muzaffarabad-Kohala road.

Residents and official sources said the strike was observed in all towns and villages of Muzaffarabad and its adjoining Neelum district.

“A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Muzaffarabad and several other towns. But in some villages, the strike was partial,” said a senior police officer.

Traders and political activists gathered in small groups in different areas here and raised slogans against the government for planning to relocate the state capital.

The administrator of the Muzaffarabad Municipal Corporation and a ruling

Muslim Conference leader reportedly entered an altercation with traders while persuading them to open shops. One trader alleged that the administrator and the MC leader threatened them with dire consequences if they raised slogans against the prime minister.

Last month, Erra’s deputy chairman Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed had said the authority did not have any funds for relocation of the AJK capital. But Prime Minister Sardar Attique had told a TV channel that relocation was necessary for the safety of people. However, a report of the Japan International Cooperation Agency recommends Muzaffarabad fit for human habitation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the AJK premier reiterated that relocation of the capital was a “humanitarian” issue and it should not be politicised.

“The issue will be resolved in the larger national interest and in view of the seismic report,” he said.