After the economic blockade of Kashmir, the Jammu Inc. has gone whole hog to rebuild bridges with valley-based traders in a bid to avoid tit-for-tat reaction.
Traders from Jammu rush to Kashmir to buy peace after the economic blockade soured their relations with the valley businessmen
SRINAGAR: After the economic blockade of Kashmir, the Jammu Inc. has gone whole hog to rebuild bridges with valley-based traders in a bid to avoid tit-for-tat reaction and neutralise the threat of boycott of the goods manufactured in the winter capital.
With dust gradually settling after the two-month agitation over land, the Jammu Inc. is increasingly feeling restive after the calls from the valley to boycott the goods manufactured in Jammu.
The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) is rushing a delegation to Kashmir to resume dialogue with their counterparts and put the trading relations with valley-based traders back on track.
“There was no economic blockade of Kashmir. Jammu also equally suffered because everything was shut here. Some vested interests are spreading rumours about economic blockade which is not true. Our team will visit Srinagar soon to talk to our counterparts and clear the air,” said Ram Sahai, president of JCCI.
Around 40% of industrial production in Jammu is consumed in Kashmir. Plus most of the companies including MNCs have depots and forwarding agents based in Jammu.
After the blockade, Kashmiri traders had suggested not buying any goods from Jammu. Some of them have even written to their company headquarters to supply goods directly to them without touching Jammu.
This development has given Jammu traders sleepless nights because if it is put in practice, they will lose huge revenues. “We are in touch with our friends over phone.
We are inseparable community and we feel there is nothing untoward or alarming between us and them,” said Sahai.
The Kashmir Traders’ Federation (KTF), which is a member of the Hurriyat-led Coordination Committee, was the first trading body suggesting the boycott of the goods from Jammu as a tit-for-tat reaction to economic blockade.
“We suggested this measure as a reaction to some of the statements by people who burnt our shawls and papier-mâché products. There is no word from the committee on this,” said Jan Mohammad Koul, KTF chairman.
The Kashmir Economic Front (KEF), a conglomerate major bodies like Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Association, Hoteliers and Restaurant Owners association, House Boat Owners Association, transporters, is meeting on Wednesday to discuss whether to resume trade with Jammu or not.
“Kashmiri traders are hurt by the economic blockade. We have now formed the KEF, which is meeting tomorrow [on Wednesday] to discuss whether we should start trade with Jammu,” said Dr Mubeen Shah, president of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
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