Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 24: Ponywalas from Pahalgam staged a protest today, accusing the authorities of barring them from operating and demanding a designated stand for their horses.
The protestors who belong to the Tribal community, gathered at the Press Enclave, raising slogans and holding placards to express their grievances and claim that the authorities were engaging in unfair practices.
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One of the protestors, Muhammad Muzaffar, emphasized that they had repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the concerned authorities. However, he said, their appeals have gone unanswered, leaving them to suffer each passing day.
Muzaffar further stated that while there was a designated stand available, individuals from the Tribal community were not allowed to utilize it for their livelihood.
He expressed his frustration at the authorities,’ alleging that they had ignored the community’s plight for the past six months, depriving them of their rights, while urging the Government to intervene promptly and ensure they received what rightfully belonged to them.
The protestors accused the authorities of treating their grievances lightly and mocking their sufferings and despite the significant influx of tourists to Pahalgam, lamented being deprived of a decent livelihood.
The ponywalas expressed their dismay at the ongoing disregard for their community’s economic well-being, highlighting the urgent need for the Government to address their concerns and grant them access to the designated stand.
The protestors said that they were forced to stage a protest. They said that they were hopeful that the Government will ensure the resolution of their issues.
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