On joint resistance leadership’s call, traders stage protest

Srinagar, February 4 On the call of resistance leadership, the Valley traders under the banner of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here. The joint resistance leadership had appealed members of all trade and manufacturing bodies to hold a sit in protest on Saturday at Press Enclave Lal Chowk. The protest was led by KCCI president, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, KEA chairman, Muhammad Yasin Khan and KTMF senior-vice president Manzoor Ahmad Bhat.On the occasion, the traders urged Government of India and Government of Pakistan to abandon hardline positions and sit down on table with the resistance leadership of Kashmir for resolution of Kashmir issue once for all.The traders also vowed to protect Article 370 at any cost and resented attempts by Saffron parties to abrogate it. The traders said that Kashmir is an internationally accepted dispute and its one time resolution according to wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people is in the larger interest of India, Pakistan and whole South Asia.The traders also expressed dismay over the death sentence awarded by West Bengal Court to a Kashmir youth, Muzzafar Ahmad Rathore and termed it “miscarriage of justice”. The protesting traders also demanded immediate release of prisoners from various jails of the State. The protest sit-in concluded peacefully.