The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday called for a voluntary shutdown on August 20 in Jammu to protest against what it dubbed "anti-national elements destroying peace and harmony in the Valley"."It is time we stand up against the evil designs of the anti-national elements and support the nationalist forces so that normalcy could be restored in Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest," its president Rakesh Gupta said. Gupta alleged that religious places in the Valley were permitted to make announcements other than about religious activities."These announcements are made seeking war against the Indian State."
He alleged that no action is taken against government employees for unauthorised absence from duty."The chamber is seriously concerned about how can these employees be paid salaries without work in a state where the salary bill is more than Rs 3,000 crore per month and it is the common man's money that is being misused."The chamber also demanded that the civil secretariat -- the seat of governance in J&K -- be moved back to Jammu in view of the unrest in Kashmir."It is for the last 40 days that no work has been done at the secretariat and nor can the public reach the secretariat."The chamber expresses solidarity with the nationalist forces and the law enforcing forces and thanks them for their sacrifices to protect the Indian State," Gupta said.