Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Nov 5: The Kashmir Business Group condemned the recent civilian killings, calling them unfortunate and unacceptable, and urged those responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians to cease such actions, stating, “We are all peace lovers here.”
Speaking to the media as per Kashmir Despatch Mushtaq Chaiya, president of the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers, expressed that the violence linked to recent terror incidents is met with condemnation and is intolerable. He emphasized that the group is rooted in the tourism industry, which employs thousands, and expressed a desire to reject any activities that undermine peace.
Chaiya further stated that those behind these terror attacks must stop targeting innocent people, as such violence negatively impacts the overall business environment in Kashmir, particularly the tourism sector.
“Nobody supports such terror attacks in Kashmir anymore. We have already endured significant suffering, and we do not want our businesses to be adversely affected again,” Chaiya remarked.
He was joined at the press conference by several other business leaders from Srinagar.
Notably, October has been a tragic month in Kashmir’s recent history, witnessing nine civilian deaths due to violence. Among the victims were seven non-local laborers, an army soldier, and a doctor, all killed in various attacks that suggest a troubling resurgence of violence in the region.
On October 20, a local doctor and six non-local workers from APCO Infratech, involved in the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway, were targeted by terrorists. This incident marked one of the deadliest assaults in recent times, following a shooting on June 9 that resulted in the deaths of seven pilgrims in Jammu’s Reasi district.
These attacks occurred shortly after the first assembly elections in over a decade, reflecting a significant political shift following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370. The National Conference-Congress coalition emerged victorious, with Omar Abdullah resuming his role as Chief Minister.
The recent wave of targeted violence has provoked strong rebukes from political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, while residents, particularly students, have expressed their distress and frustration over the ongoing turmoil.
Security analysts suggest that the increase in terrorist activities in Kashmir, especially with a shift in focus from the Valley to the Jammu region, indicates a strategy by Pakistan to disrupt peace in the Union Territory.
Earlier today, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, at an event in North Kashmir’s Baramulla District, stated that those who support terrorism in the Union Territory will face devastating consequences.
LG Sinha emphasized that individuals who endorse terrorism and disrupt the peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir will confront dire repercussions. He asserted, “No one who promotes terrorism will be spared.”
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
