In an attempt to defuse simmering tension following murderous attacks on the Valley-bound truckers in Udhampur, the Kashmir and Jammu business chambers have said that efforts of Indian agencies to trifurcate the territory on religious lines will not be tolerated and the business community will protect Jammu and Kashmir’s special status at all costs.
President of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Rakesh Gupta, addressing a joint press conference organized by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the headquarters of KCCI in Srinagar while referring to special status of Kashmir said, “Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have to remain together for betterment and development.”
He said, “There is an attempt by agencies to divide us on religious lines, but we have to stand together and protect sections of law which have over the decades kept Jammu and Kashmir together.”
A New Delhi-based NGO, backed by Hindu extremist groups, has moved the Indian Supreme Court seeking scrapping of Article 35A. The case is listed for hearing before the Indian Supreme Court next month.
The JCCI condemned the attack on truckers at Udhampur and blamed Indian extremist forces for the attacks. “We don’t want to see 2008-like situation and that is why we have come here to assure our support and condemn such attacks,” Gupta said.
