Srinagar: Scores of people, representing various Kashmir-based trade bodies, on Tuesday held a protest in historic Lal Chowk, the nerve centre of the summer capital, Srinagar against alleged attempts to tamper with Article 35A and banning of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).
Holding placards, which read, “Save Article 35A”, “We will spill our blood to defend Article 35A”, besides other slogans, the representatives of the trade bodies assembled at Ganta Ghar in Lal Chowk, where shops and business establishments were closed due to a strike called by traders.
The trade bodies of Kashmir valley, including Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), had called for a day-long strike on Tuesday against JeI ban and alleged attempts to tamper with Article 35-A. Normal life was crippled across the valley due to the strike.
The protestors lashed out at the centre and state governments, for what they termed as ‘systematic attempts to erode the special status of Jammu and Kashmir guaranteed by Article 35A of the Indian constitution’. “Jammu and Ladakh region will be affected the most if the article is abolished. We will not let anyone take away our identity and irrecoverably damage our economy,” they said.
The protestors later disperse peacefully.
