Business leaders in Kashmir Monday warned their counterparts in Jammu that business ties would be cut if attacks on Kashmiris in the winter capital did not stop.
Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yaseen Khan said trade fraternity in the valley was constantly monitoring the prevailing situation in the winter capital and if attacks on Kashmiris continued it would result in serious consequences.
“As by and large situation remained incident free today (Monday) is a good sign. We are not ready to tolerate any sort of attacks or intimidation of Kashmiri students, traders or employees,” said Khan who also heads Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF).
“We will wait till tomorrow (Tuesday) and decide how to go ahead to counter the communal forces. We hope our Jammu counterparts show some concern about mob attacks on Kashmiris.”
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, president, Sheikh Ashiq said the chamber has been in constant touch with Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry asking them to play a “positive role” in maintaining peace and harmony in Jammu region.
“We are constantly keeping a vigilant eye and in touch with JCCI. We are urging them that anti-social elements who are dividing the state for political gains must be identified and taken to task,” Ashiq said.
“We are also in touch with Kashmiri traders and employees in Jammu and paying heed to their distress calls.”
Outraged over recent mob attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and other states following Thursday’s car-bomb attack on CRPF, Kashmir valley and some parts of Chenab valley observed a complete shutdown on Sunday in response to a call by KTMF and KEA which was supported by other trade bodies and transporters.
Even the weekly Sunday flea market had remained closed.
Meanwhile, protests by traders and transporters against assaults on Kashmiris continued on Monday.
Drivers of vehicles including trucks damaged in mob attacks at Jammu which arrived in Srinagar also joined the protests, demanding due compensation from the government.
Furious over attacks on Kashmiris, scores of traders took out a protest rally from the clock tower at Lal Chowk to Regal Chowk here.
All markets in the commercial hub of summer capital also observed a post-afternoon shutdown in response to a call given by traders to close shops after 3 PM.