JCCI calls for Jammu bandh on Aug 20

Jammu, Aug 19 (PTI) Jammu Chamber of Commerce andIndustries (JCCI) today called for a day-long ‘Jammu Bandh’ onAugust 20 in support for "restoration of peace in KashmirValley and communal harmony in the state". "We have decided to hold a day-long Jammu Bandh on August20 in support for peace and communal harmony and againstanti-national elements and traitors," President, JCCI, RakeshGupta, told reporters here. Appealing people of Jammu region to extend support for thebandh, the JCCI said they need to "stand up against the evildesigns of the anti-national elements and support thenationalist forces for normalcy to be restored in the state". Gupta alleged that religious places in Kashmir were beingused to instigate the people and through public addresssystems anti-national songs and speeches were broadcasted. The JCCI said the state government was paying salary tothe tune of Rs 2000 crore to the people who have not attendeda single day in the office for the more than last one month ofunrest in Kashmir. Gupta said in view of the present law and order situationin the Valley, the civil secretariat should be shifted toJammu for the "normal functioning of the government". The JCCI said the businesses in Jammu has suffered a lossto the tune of over Rs 1000 crore due to the ongoing unrest inthe Valley. Meanwhile, the ruling alliance partner BJP said it wasagainst the Jammu bandh as it would not be in the "interestsof the nationalistic forces". "Holding bandh in Jammu would mean that we extend oursupport to Kashmir unrest. It is not in the interest of thenationalistic forces," BJP state President Sat Sharma said.PTI TSS AB AQS ZMNAQS