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| Business, civil society groups dare VHP to enforce economic blockade to Kashmir | | | Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 19: Reacting sharply to the 'threat' of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) of economic blockade to Kashmir in case the ban on beef is not implemented in letter and spirit, business community and civil society activists of Kashmir today said the situation would take an ugly turn if VHP goes ahead with its programme.
"We dare VHP to enforce blockade to Kashmir. We would not sit like lame ducks and give a befitting reply to such a move. The business community and civil society activists of the valley are united in this regard and there is no division or difference of opinion," said outgoing President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I), Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad while addressing a press conference here.
The press conference was organized by Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) led by Mohammad Yasin Khan and it was attended by representatives of KCC&I, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) and other business as well as civil society groups.
Ashiq said that business community and civil society groups are very much ready for the consequences. He said if the economic blockade is enforced by VHP then there are options available for doing business with the outside world. He added that business community and civil society groups would up their ante while demanding complete restoration of business ties with the people living in the other part of Kashmir.
KEA Chairman Mohammad Yasin Khan said that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should make its point clear on the threat given by VHP. He said the silence adopted by PDP is 'criminal' and its gives an impression that the party is hand in glove with the VHP on this issue.
"PDP has formed the government with Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the state and VHP is an off-shoot of BJP. So when your coalition comes out with a threat call it becomes imperative for PDP to make its position clear. The party should either side with BJP and VHP or say good bye to the power," said Yasin.
Yasin said that since VHP has accepted that 2008 economic blockade was enforced by them it becomes important for the PDP leaders to come clean on the issue. He demanded that international human rights groups should be entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out a probe in 108 killings that followed the 2008 economic blockade.
He alleged that the business community of Kashmir was not allowed to carry out protest against the 'failure' of state and central governments to rehabilitate the flood affected people.
"If the economic blockade is enforced then 70 percent supplies that come from Jammu would automatically be stopped. The business community of Jammu would suffer since Kashmir is a readymade market for them. The business people of Jammu should also make their position clear on the issue since we don't want to spoil relations with them," said KEA Chairman.
Civil society activist and renowned businessman Dr. Mubeen Ahmad Shah said that embargo on trade with other Kashmir should be lifted and the business should not be limited to 21 items. He said once this happens Kashmir economy would flourish since its products would reach different corners of world through Muzaffarabad.
President FCIK Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that groups like VHP want to divide Jammu & Kashmir on communal basis adding that this would not be allowed. He alleged that BJP has failed to provide even the basic amenities to the people of Jammu and they are just building 'castles' in air. |
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