SRINAGAR The Kashmir traders and transporters on Monday called for a complete shutdown on Tuesday to protests against ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and issuance of Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance by the president after union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved it.
Addressing a joint press conference, Kashmir Traders Manufacturing Federation (KTMF), Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and Transporters said
the space to protests against anti-people move has been choked in the Valley, thus forcing the traders and transporters to call for a protest here.
KTMF and KEA president, Muhammad Yasin Khan termed the ban on JeI as unfortunate, saying it must be revoked at an earliest.
Khan said traders are on the verge to shut their businesses in Kashmir due to the frequent decision being taken by the government that according to them have pushed the situation at dangerous level.
Jamaat-e-Islami is a religious organization and the Falah-e-Aam trusts are providing benefits to the downtrodden community here, he said, adding banning the organization was unfortunate and its ban must be revoked at n earliest.
Khan said the organization played a pivotal during 2005 earthquake and 2014 floods here, adding that people affiliated with the organization helped people in every aspect.
Our wards are aspiring to get Islamic knowledge and closing the schools run by Falaah-e-Aam institutions would deprive them from getting the religious education, Khan said.
He said that situation that has been created in Jammu and Kashmir has hit the tourism sector and trade in the Valley.
The government is claiming to have taken steps to bring peace here but such situations wont end the hostility in the Valley, he said.
Khan said traders instead of observing shutdown would have preferred to stage protest to express resentment but the space to show concern has been chocked here, therefore compelling the trade bodies to go for a strike.
The other trade leaders present on the occasion also lashed out a national media, saying that these channels have wrecked havoc on Kashmirs tourism.
Unfortunately, it has been observed that those unnecessary issues being raised in TV debates are coming up alongside with government orders every day, the traders said.
They blamed TV channels for the present prevailing situation, saying it is because of these TV channels the situation has become bad to worse.
Trade bodies said that the media channels have literally waged war against Kashmiris.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
