The Kashmir business community on Tuesday hit out at the government for what it said politicising the situation and harassing the people in Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, KCCI Vice President Abdul Hamid Mir condemned what he termed as repeated harassment of leaders, institutions and organisations in Kashmir.
He said socio-religious institutions were a part of Kashmiri history and culture. “Their role in upliftment of the poor, supporting orphans and imparting education and Islamic values to a majority of the population is unparalleled,” he said.
Mir said that any attempt to weaken these institutions and their leaders by making motivated accusations is being seen as a direct interference in “our religious affairs.”
“We are of the firm conviction that under present abnormal conditions prevailing in the State, the Government shall act more cordially to avoid harassment to Kashmiris,” he said.
Reading out a statement of the various trade bodies, transporters and industrialists during a press conference at KCCI office, he said that a concerted attempt was being made to cause disruptions and provoke the peace-loving population of the valley.
“There are cases of murderous physical assaults on Kashmir. A section of the social and electronic media is being used to tarnish our image. A number of innocent people and leaders have been jailed. The Valley appears to be under siege,” said Mir.
Mir said the government should take immediate corrective measures to defuse the situation.
The business community also took a strong note of the notice issued to Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
“Besides being Mirwaiz of Jammu and Kashmir, this family (Mirwaiz family) is connected for centuries with the people of Kashmir. They have remained torch bearers providing platform for imparting education, inculcating of spiritual and moral values besides social services. Not only do the Muslims of Kashmir but even the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs have high esteem towards this dynasty since (sic) centuries,” he said.
Ten organisations who were part of the press conference included Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Shehr- e-Khaas Coordination Committee, Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF(R), Jamia Traders Association, Beopar Mandal S R Gunj, Central Traders & Manufacturers Association, and Kashmir Welfare Transporters Association.
