The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Tuesday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a strong notice of attacks on Kashmiri businessmen and students living outside the Valley.

“The incident in Shimla (Rohru) is the result of the hate propaganda and we appeal the Prime Minister to send a clear message for safeguarding and protection of businessmen and students from Jammu and Kashmir,” KCCI president Sheikh Ashiq said while addressing a press conference here.

He made the comments with reference to media reports of “mob attack” on Kashmiri shopkeepers in Rohru near Shimla

The KCCI demanded that the Governor should depute a high-level team to Shimla to assess the losses and to ensure that the lives and property of Kashmiri traders are safe. “We have been watching with growing concern the selective targeting of Kashmiri businessmen, especially handicraft dealers and phariwallahs on social media through videos of hate speeches and 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,” Ashiq added.

The KCCI also demanded that the guilty should be booked under more stringent provisions of criminal law. “We find it strange that despite videos of the vandalism readily available on the social media, the Himachal Police have failed to make any arrests so far,” said Ashiq while demanding that the J&K Police register FIRs and take legal action against such people.

Courtesy:The Tribune,Jan2,2019