Former JK Congress chief Prof. Saifuddin Soz has expressed his concern over the struggle for artisan in the state.In a statement to KNS, Soz said, “I feel very sad that the Artisans pursuing various crafts – Khatamband, Pashmina Shawls, Copper Works, Wood Works, Paper Machie and all other skills live in an atmosphere of hopelessness and poverty of resources. In recent years, their plight has touched a new low as they suffer total neglect of the system be it the Government or the private sector economic activity.”“I did try to help them out of the morass of helplessness, but nothing substantial could be done as the power elite of J&K State had advertently or inadvertently become the supporters of the tormentors of the Artisans,” Soz said.He said the tormentors of these artisans have gained positions in Public and Private financial Institutions concerned with Trade, Commerce and Industry, particularly with the Manufacturing Industry.“But, the Artisans have moved from pillar to post to seek relief under these Acts. It is obvious that nothing moves in their favour. Instead, the persons involved in production of the commodities through machines have gained access to the very institutions that are supposed to provide succour to them (Artisans),” he said, adding, he feels that the system has become so rotten through corruption that it is law-abiding who should worry for themselves not the ones who have just contempt for laws regulating life for a decent and dignified living.” (KNS)