Kashmir Chamber urges safety of Valleyites in Jammu, elsewhere

Srinagar, Feb 15: Condemning the Pulwama attack in which 49 CRPF troopers were killed on Thursday, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday said that some elements were trying to create regional division and disturb the peaceful environment in Jammu.
On Thursday afternoon a suicide attack was carried out by a local militant at Srinagar Jammu highway, in Lethpora, Pulwama, which left 49 CRPF personnel dead.
On Friday, the winter capital observed a shutdown called by the Jammu Chamber. However, during the day, miscreants in Jammu started vandalizing and torching vehicles, and harassing the minority community.
President KCCI, Sheikh Ashiq during a presser here said: “Since elections are ahead, some elements are politicizing the Pulwama incident. We are in touch with Jammu chamber and requested them to maintain regional brotherhood.”
Ashiq said that they stressed Jammu chamber to avoid any untoward incident, which can give rise to “communal riots” and asked it to assure safety of minority community there.
“People should not relate Pulwama incident with Muslims. The incident has nothing to do with Kashmiri people. We also condemn the incident,” he said.
“We are in continuous contact with our brothers and students outside Kashmir and make sure that everyone stays safe in their places,” Ashiq said.
Meanwhile, cab drivers plying on Srinagar-Jammu highway staged a protest here in press enclave against the thrashing of their comrades and vandalizing of their vehicles in Jammu on Friday.
Dozens of Kashmiri drivers were attacked by mobs in Jammu after the killing of 49 CRPF personnel.
A cab driver, Adnan Ahmad, said: “There are many Jammu drivers working here, they are never treated like this.”
“Dozens of vehicle have been burned down in Jammu and our brothers have been tortured by miscreants there,” he said adding they are unable to make any contact with those in Jammu as their mobile phones are switched off.