The Kashmir Chamber Of Commerce & Industry (Inc) on Tuesday organized a protest march from Chamber Office to Press enclave in Srinagar to condemn the killings of seven Amarnath pilgrims in last night attack in south Kashmir.Earlier, an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the Chamber was convened, in which innocent killings and blood-shedding of all human beings was condemned in strong words, said a spokesman.“At the same time it has been noted with concern that such incidents have generally been taking place on specific occasions which tend to send a wrong signal throughout the country about the situation in Kashmir,” he said.While condemning the attack, the Chamber demanded a time-bound probe in the incident by a Supreme Court judge to expose the perpetrators of such heinous killings.The chamber made the demand in the wake of contradictory statements made by the Chief Minister and her deputy regarding the attack.
During the protest march, Mohammad Ibrahim Shahdad, former Presidnet President KCC&I said that the chamber has always condemned human killings, irrespective or religion or colour.The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has also condemned the attack on Amaranth pilgrims in south Kashmir.In a statement, KTMF president Muhammad Yasin Khan who also heads the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) said it this hour of grief entire Kashmir is with the families of those bereaved.Reiterating that Kashmir is a land of communal harmony, Khan appealed the people to be united in this hour of grief and not fall prey to communal forces of divide.Khan also sought extra attention of the government towards the security of Kashmiri Muslims outside the valley.Strongly condemning the attack on Amarnath Yatris, the incarcerated chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shahon Tuesday said such acts are completely inhuman.In a statement issued to press, Shah demanded an investigation into the heart-wrenching incident by an impartial probe agency and said Muslims cannot even think about such acts.Referring to police statement, Shah said it is clear that Yatris were not targets. “Kashmiris are known the world over for their best hospitality regarding Yatris and tourists. We have been upholding the tradition of communal brotherhood since decades.”“The people of Kashmir have already made it clear to world that they have been upholding all the values of humanity while continuing their struggle for freedom,” Shah said.Expressing condolence and solidarity with those killed, Shah said, “As humans, we’re equally grieved over the loss of lives and pray for speedy recovery of those injured.” Senior separatist leader and Anjuman Shari Shian president Aga Syed Hasan Almosvi Alsafvi expressed deep sorrow and grief over the killing of Amarnath pilgrims in an attack in Anantnag and strongly condemned it. “This incident goes against the very grain of Kashmiri ethos. The annual Amarnath Yarta has been going on peacefully for centuries and is part of our yearly rhythm and will remain so. Our heart goes out to the families of the bereaved and we express our heartfelt condolences to them,” he said.“The incident is a conspiracy to defame Kashmiris. We demand an impartial inquiry into the killings,” Aga Hasan said.Minister for Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports and Technical Education, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari has strongly condemned the attack on Amarnathji Yatris at Anantnag in which 7 pilgrims died and several others were injured.Expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, Ansari said such dastardly acts of violence are handiwork of such elements who are trying to push the state into chaos and create a communal wedge between different communities.Ansari said we should collectively condemn these dastardly acts which are a crime against humanity and human values. (CNS)