Kashmir trade bodies call bandh today

Kashmir-based trade bodies including the Kashmir traders and manufacturers federation (KTMF) and the Kashmir economic alliance (KEA) called for a complete Valley-wide bandh on Sunday against mob attacks on Kashmiris in Jammu and other states. The transporters have supported the bandh call.

Furious over attacks on Kashmiris, traders took out a protest rally from clock tower at LalChowk to Regal Chowk here. All markets in the commercial hub observed a post-afternoon shutdown in response to a call given by local traders asking shopkeepers to down their shutters after 3 p.m.  “The entire trade fraternity has jointly decided to observe a complete bandh on Sunday. Attacks on a particular community, especially targeting of Kashmiris at Jammu and other states is unacceptable,” said FarhanKitab, chief spokesman, KTMF. Safety and security of Kashmiris outside the Valley is the biggest priority for us even if it means sacrificing everything, he said. Earlier, traders representing two factions of KTMF, KEA, LalChowk traders’ association (LCTA) gathered near the clock tower and shouted pro-justice slogans. While condemning the mob violence against Kashmiris, the trade fraternity also threatened to break their ties with Jammu-based traders in case the attacks are not stopped forthwith. Supporting the bandh call, Deen Muhammad Mattoo, president LCTA hit out at Jammu traders saying they are “vitiating peaceful atmosphere” by supporting “anti-social elements”. He said Kashmir’s business fraternity will not “hesitate to boycott traders from Jammu if protests were not stopped immediately”. 

   

 “It was Jammu-based traders who first threatened to boycott trade with us. If they continue to support communal and fringe elements we will boycott them completely,” said Mattoo. Various other trade bodies also held a protest at Press Enclave here, urging the government to safeguard Kashmirs living outside the Valley. Sheikh Ashiq, president, Kashmir chamber of commerce and industry (KCCI) said Jammu violence was aimed to “create a communal divide between the Valley and Jammu”.  

Extending support to the call for Kashmir bandh, Shahr-e-Khaas traders’ coordination committee president, Nazir Ahmad Shah, said the violence against Kashmiris was unacceptable. 

“Why is it that Kashmiris, who are in a minority outside, are being targeted selectively? We will not sit silently until these attacks are stopped,” said Shah. The federation chamber of industries Kashmir (FCIK) castigated the state government for its failure to “protect the lives and property of Kashmiris” in Jammu and demanded the immediate sacking of the entire divisional administration of Jammu. 

Condemning the arson, loot, burning of vehicles and damaging of houses and flats belonging to Kashmiris and causing injuries to Kashmiris living in Jammu, the FCIK in a statement urged the governor’s administration to take concrete measures to stop “hooliganism in Jammu immediately”. “The damages could have been prevented had the administration imposed a curfew from the wee hours of Friday after taking notice of Thursday’s violent protests on Jammu roads.  The FCIK also appeals people of Kashmir not to get panicky, maintain calm and ensure the safety of people from outside currently in the valley,” said the statement.  The industrial body has also asked its counterparts in Jammu to play their role in ensuring the safety and security of all Kashmiris besides bringing back normalcy.

PTI ADDS: Various trade bodies and employees’ unions also held a protest at Press Colony here. Meanwhile, protests also broke out amid a spontaneous shutdown in southern Anantnag district. Most of the shops in Anantnag town were shut to protest the violent demonstrations in Jammu and harassment of Kashmiris in other parts of India. Groups of youth clashed with forces in Anantnag after rumours spread about a Kashmiri driver being killed in an attack in Jammu. However, police refuted the rumours, saying they were totally baseless and fake.

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