- Govt carrying genocide of Kashmiri Muslims: KEA
- SOP not being followed, most injuries above waist: KCCI
Valley’s business community feels that when their ‘kith and kin’ are being killed left right and centre, business doesn’t remain a priority. The business leaders also accused the state government of carrying out ‘genocide’ of Kashmiri Muslims.
President of Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kashmir (CCIK) Zahoor Tramboo said that business surely takes a back seat but it doesn’t remain a priority in such situations.
“We are also a part of the general masses. Right now, it’s not only about business and commercial activities it is safeguarding out people. When our kith and kin are being killed left, right and centre, business which is already on the backseat is not our priority,” said Trumboo.
He added despite being an apolitical organization, one cannot ignore what is happening around them.
“Such situations cannot be ignored. We are an apolitical organization but things have gone out of control and people are being killed by same who are supposedly there to protect them,” said Trumboo.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) expressed surprise as why the forces are not following the standard operation procedure.
“SOPs are not being followed at all. Almost every injury inflicted is above the waist of the victim. Is this the way to deal with unarmed protesters or for that matter stone pelters. Moreover, the government should break it silence and condemn the killing spree of innocent civilians,” said President KCCI Mushtaq Wani.
While seconding Tramboo, Wani said that civilian killings should stop and business can wait. “We are in a habit of bearing losses now. Monetary losses can be recovered but the dead cannot be brought back.”
Chairman of the Kashmir Economic Alliance Mohammad Yasin Khan termed the civilian killings as “state sponsored genocide”.
He also pointed out that the state machinery should be ‘ashamed’ for asking Hurriyat leaders to restore peace.
“Where does it happen other than Kashmir that peaceful protesters or stone pelters for that matter are treated with bullets. This is nothing but genocide of Kashmiri Muslims,” said Khan.
He said government should be ashamed for asking Hurriyat leaders to help them. “They are the same who are always caged. Now they appeal them to help restore normalcy. They should hang their heads in shame,” said Khan who also heads Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation.
Khan said forces didn’t even spare ambulances ferrying injured to the hospitals. “This clearly suggests that a strategic genocide is taking place,” said Khan.
“This is the biggest ever humanitarian crises of this decade as such huge number of fatalities were never reported before.”
Khan also lashed out at the government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar for not entertaining media queries in a press conference which was called on Sunday. “Why did he call a press conference then? Was he there to defend the killings?”
