Srinagar: Citing illegality, the government have asked at least 50 families living in Yarkandi Sarai at Safa Kadal area of Srinagar to vacate the building within seven days while the dwellers have urged the authorities to make some alternate arrangements for them.
As per the notice issued by Executive Magistrate, Tehsildar South Srinagar, the families are living there illegally and that if they don’t vacate from the Sarai within set time frame, legal action would be initiated against them as warranted under the law.
The two storey building was once an international trade centre between the foreign traders of central Asia, China, Tibet and Kashmir. “Yarkand” is a City in china and Sarai means a market place in kashmiri.
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The premises was international trade hub for the central Asia before the creation of India Pakistan in 1947. It was built by Mughals in the 19th century and later became home to numerous refugee families who stayed there when international borders were militarized.
Abdul Rashid, an elderly person, presently living at Sarai said that it has been almost 66 years that their families are living here.
“At present 50 families living here would become homeless if we are forced to vacate the building,” he said.
“If the government needs this building for some other purpose, the authorities should make some alternative arrangements for the families,” he added.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole said that the building has been declared unsafe while the lease granted to them for 12 years have also come to an end.
He added that after serving notice, if the families have some queries or want the support from administration, they should turn up with their grievances, which would be looked into.
(KNO)
