by Mir Suneem/ Salma Masood
Srinagar
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday held a Press Conference at their office in Srinagar to condemn the harassment of Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of India.
The chamber condemned the decision of their counterparts in Jammu to issue a call for Jammu Bandh on February 15 against the Pulwama attack that later caused arson and violence in the city.
“The Jammu Chamber had earlier agreed to support issues of common interest of trade bodies and not create situations vitiating atmosphere but they have failed to live up to the expectations. There is no doubt that the cause of the violence was the result of Jammu Bandh,” said the Secretary-General of KCCI, Farooq Amin.
Earlier, multiple incidents of violence and harassment of Kashmiri people have been reported in Jammu, Dehradun and other places in India where local mobs attacked Kashmiri Muslims and students were asked to leave educational institutions and hostels. Shops of people were ransacked and many vehicles were set ablaze.
KCCI blamed the media for their negative propaganda that further triggered the communal violence and people had to run from place to place to save themselves from goons and hooligans.
KCCI called it a serious attempt to prevent tourists to visit Kashmir in the forthcoming tourist season. “Already statements have appeared in social media that no tourist should visit State for next three years. All these attempts have to be thwarted,” said a member of KCCI.
They urged CCIJ to adopt multidimensional thinking before taking any such decisions in future and to exercise restraint and take effective steps to protect regional harmony in the state.
KCCI also appealed the civil societies of India to take measures for the protection of Kashmiri people across India.
“According to press reports, criminal proceedings have been initiated against 150 miscreants but we believe that the State action should have been swift to prevent damage to properties and to ensure the safety of our people,” Farooq said.
They also condemned the attempts of some people to gain political mileage out of tragedies and said the forthcoming elections cannot be fought on the sweat and blood of people.
In addition to this, KCCI swore to do everything to protect and safeguard the constitutional status of the state and will not allow its dilution at any cost.
“In any case, we won’t remain silent if Article 35-A will be revoked. It is a part of our identity,” they said.
Meanwhile, they also appealed the Governor’s administration to issue appropriate orders for reconstitution of the Toll Tax Committee for the region.
