#JCCI calls for Jammu bandh on Aug 20

Jammu, Aug 19 (PTI) Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) today called for a day-long ‘Jammu Bandh’ on August 20 in support for “restoration of peace in Kashmir Valley and communal harmony in the state”.

“We have decided to hold a day-long Jammu Bandh on August 20 in support for peace and communal harmony and against anti-national elements and traitors,” President, JCCI, Rakesh Gupta, told reporters here.

Appealing people of Jammu region to extend support for the bandh, the JCCI said they need to “stand up against the evil designs of the anti-national elements and support the nationalist forces for normalcy to be restored in the state”.

Gupta alleged that religious places in Kashmir were being used to instigate the people and through public address systems anti-national songs and speeches were broadcasted.

The JCCI said the state government was paying salary to the tune of Rs 2000 crore to the people who have not attended a single day in the office for the more than last one month of unrest in Kashmir.

Gupta said in view of the present law and order situation in the Valley, the civil secretariat should be shifted to Jammu for the “normal functioning of the government”.

The JCCI said the businesses in Jammu has suffered a loss to the tune of over Rs 1000 crore due to the ongoing unrest in the Valley.

Meanwhile, the ruling alliance partner BJP said it was against the Jammu bandh as it would not be in the “interests of the nationalistic forces”.

“Holding bandh in Jammu would mean that we extend our support to Kashmir unrest. It is not in the interest of the nationalistic forces,” BJP state President Sat Sharma said.