Kashmir Traders Claim Losses Of 12,000 Crore Since Lock Down Began, Plan To Sue Govt

More than 100 days have passed since lock down in the Kashmir Valley and there seems to be no plan for withdrawing the extra security forces and restore normal life. The abrogation of Article 370 - which arguably gave special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir - came with the promises of making the valley a safer and more prosperous state. It was argued that Jammu and Kashmir could not develop like other Indian states because of this article in the Indian constitution. However, after more than three months, peace, tranquillity and development appears to be a a distant dream.

Now, the traders in the valley have come together to make a startling claim that they suffered a collective loss approximately Rs 12,000 crore during the shutdown of the last three months.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has made this claim, expressing the concern that the things may get worse if the situation in the valley doesn't improve.

BCCL

¡°The loss figure is over Rs 12,000 crore,¡± said KCCI president, Sheikh Ashiq Hussain, citing a preliminary survey.

People closed their shops due to shutdown. There were concerns about protests fear of reprisals from insurgents. It estimated economic losses ran into least $1.40 billion by September, but now exceeded that, Nasir Khan, KCCI senior vice president told Reuters.

"We'll ask the court to appoint an external agency to assess the losses, because it is beyond us," he added.

At the time of abrogation Article 370, government stopped telecom links, people were advised not to travel to the valley and more security forces were placed to deal with possible violent reactions from the separatist groups. Some of the blockages have reportedly been removed, however, internet still remains suspended in the valley.

¡°The three-month-long shutdown has caused a huge dent to Kashmir¡¯s business community and in overall business,¡± said Hussain.

¡°We want the Jammu & Kashmir administration to take responsibility for the huge losses caused to us due to the shutdown and restrictions," he added.

BCCL

¡°Every kind of business was hit badly in Kashmir since August 5 and yet no one is taking responsibility for it,¡± Hussain told TOI.

AFP

Hussain said Kashmir¡¯s export business had gone down by 50% due to the suspension of internet and mobile phone services since August 5. He added that they were now finding out how many salesmen lost their jobs due to the shutdown.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said there was a decline in the incidents of stonepelting since August 5.

"Since August 5, 2019 to November 15, 2019, 765 people have been arrested in 190 cases registered relating to stone pelting/law and order. From January 1, 2019 to August 4, 2019, 361 such cases were registered," the minister said, replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

With inputs from TOI and Agencies