KEA hails JCCI for distancing itself from bandh call

Srinagar: The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) has welcomed the decision of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) for distancing itself from Jammu bandh called by Jammu Bar Association (JBA) and others to save the accused arrested by police for rape and murder of a 8-year-old girl in Kathua.
Chairman of KEA Mohammad Yaseen Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), said the call for humanity from Kashmir Inc has been warmly reciprocated by the JCCI President Rakesh Gupta and other like-minded in Jammu, who publicly refused to support the call of fringe elements to observe Jammu bandh in solidarity with the rapists of a minor girl.
“By observing that the Kathua incident concerns humanity and can’t be seen through communal prism, the JCCI has upheld the cause of humanity and we welcome it with a open heart. It is truly a heart-warming gesture,” Khan said in a statement here Tuesday afternoon.
Khan said the development will help improve ties between the twin regions and contribute towards peace and prospect in the region.
According to reports JCCI has on Tuesday declined to support Jammu bandh call of April 11 given by JBA against Crime Branch probe in Asifa’s case.
Reports said that President, JCCI Rakesh Gupta said that they were not consulted by the JBA regarding the issues raised by them.
He said that it has been decided not to support Bar Association’s Jammu Bandh call tomorrow since it has no relevance when a High Court judge is monitoring Crime Branch investigation on day-to-day basis.
Those who committed crime should be put behind the bars, he has said adding we do not consider individuals with religious identity and therefore don’t support criminals.
The JBA is demanding CBI probe into the rape and murder of minor girl. Police has arrested seven persons and presented a challan against them in the court yesterday despite opposition by lawyers at Kathua.