Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 1: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today expressed concern over mob attack on Kashmiri shopkeepers in Shimla.
In a press conference today KCC&I said that the miscreants, armed with hammers, sticks and iron rods have reportedly broken the shutters of the shops and looted and ransacked the goods.
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“We have been watching with growing concern, the selective targeting of Kashmiri businessmen, especially Handicraft dealers/ Pheriwalla’s on social media through videos of hate speeches and physical violence, some exhorting people not to buy Kashmiri goods. To our knowledge, no investigation or action has been taken in any of the incidents. A hostile environment is being created and attempts made to stoke sectarian violence in various places across the country,” they said.
They said the incident in Shimla is the result of the hate propaganda and appealead the Prime Minister to send a clear message for safeguarding and protection of businessmen and students from Jammu and Kashmir wherever they may choose to be.
The KCC&I demanded that the Governor’s administration should depute a high-level special team to Shimla including representatives from the KCC&I for assessing the losses and to ensure that the lives and property of Kashmiri Traders are safe and secure. “We also humbly appeal to the saner elements of the society, including members of the business community, intellectuals, intelligentsia, civil society and others not to remain silent. It’s the responsibility of all secular-minded members of the society to take steps to protect the rights of Kashmiri people to freely conduct their businesses anywhere without fear or intimidation,” they said.
While appreciating the decision of the Himachal Police to engage the services of forensic scientists to “scientifically probe” the episode of killing of a bovine animal, KCC&I said they believe that it would also serve the ends of justice to take action against the miscreants who have openly indulged in taking the law in their own hands.
The KCC&I also demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir Police should register FIRs and take legal action against people indulging in hate speeches and physical violence and freely spewing venom on the social media against members of the Kashmiri business community operating throughout the country.
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