Karra condemns intimidation of Kashmiri traders

Srinagar, Oct 4 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the alleged dubious tactics being adopted by the authorities to harass and intimidate Kashmiri traders and businessmen in the aftermath of the recent unrest.

Expressing anguish over the reported issuance of notices to the Kashmiri traders by the Income Tax Department, former finance minister and PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra in a statement here today asked the concerned authorities to stop such persecuting policies forthwith.

He said it is ironic that instead of reaching out to various sections of the Kashmiri society with reconciliatory and Confidence Building Measures (CBM), certain sections in the establishment are, through their cynical policies, fuelling discontent and alienation.

Mr Karra while expressing dismay over the reported impounding of the passport of Kashmir Chamber of Industry (KCCI) President Dr Mubeen Shah, sought the intervention of the Governor N N Vohra in restraining the quarters in the Government, who are hell bent upon fuelling the trouble by selectively targeting representatives of Kashmiri traders.

He said the leaders of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), who seem to be highly concerned about restoring cordial trade ties between the two regions of the State, should have voiced their concern over the off-putting policies of the authorities towards their counterparts in Kashmir region.

''Such a gesture by the JCCI leaders would have been befitting in a situation when a vilification and victimisation campaign is on against the Kashmiri traders,'' he said.

He expressed the hope that good sense would prevail on the authorities, sooner the better, and instead of trying to intimidate the Kashmiri traders, they would reach out to the Kashmiri business community with reconciliatory measures in the larger interest of peace and harmony in the state.

UNI BAS SV AS1535