Jammu and Kashmir Socio Economic Coordination Committee (JKSECC), an amalgam of various trade, industrial, travels, tour, tourism, horticultural, educational, contractors, pharmaceutical, houseboat, bakers, transporters and civil society formations, on Sunday demanded immediate withdrawal of the ban imposed on the movement on national highway during Amarnath Yatra.
According to a statement, JKSECC said, “Tthe order isadversely affecting all segments of society, in particular patients inambulances, students, horticulturists, tourists and most of all the locals who work on day to day basis.”
“It is unfortunate that the locals who have always welcomedthe pilgrims with open arms and permit us to say that Kashmiri Muslimshave facilitated their travel, food andshelter wherever required when even the Government, at times, had failed,” it said.
This seems another exercise in the negative campaign againstKashmiris, it said. “It was pity that this order of the Government portraysthat the Muslims of Kashmir as anti yatra in the eyes of the outside world. Thetruth is altogether different,” read the statement.
“We suggest to the State Administrative Council (SAC) to doaway with this unwanted ban forthwith and without any delay, keeping in viewthe sentiments,” it added.