Mudassir Ahmad
Srinagar: Amid unrest in Kashmir valley, the cross LoC trade continues to be suspended as Valley simmers following killings of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani.
The Valley is presently witnessing no trade activity as all the business outlets continue to remain shut after the killings of civilians was reported from different parts of Kashmir.
Accordingly LoC traders have shunned trade with their counterparts from the other side temporarily for the last 14 days.
Secretary, Salamabad-Chakoti Traders union, Hilal Turki said that they had witnessed no trade activity from last two weeks. He said that traders from both the sides have decided to suspend trade temporarily as conditions in Kashmir turned volatile.
“We have suspended the trade temporarily as conditions in Kashmir are not conducive presently. We have closed our business two days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and then it was suspending as conditions in Kashmir have turned worse following the killings of civilians,” he said.
Turki said that the trade along LoC will remain suspended till situation sees an improvement in Kashmir.
“Here in Kashmir we see no trade activity. Even if we import goods here we won't be having buyers. So till conditions become normal here, the trade will remain suspended. Besides there was election in Muzaffarbad and the administration there remained busy with it,” he said.
In July, mostly dry fruits including almonds and many other varieties are being imported from Pakistan and fruits including Bananas are being exported from here.
Besides LoC trade, the local business units in Kashmir have also closed their business units from last 13 days.
Even the traders had held a meeting with the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti last week but it didn't materialized as traders continued keeping their outlets shut.
Presently the tourism which is second biggest industry of Valley have also been hit as outside based travel agents are seeking cancellation of bookings for upcoming months.
“The tourists have left as situation in Kashmir turned bad. Tourism is subsequent to peace and they only visit here when they are assured about peaceful conditions in valley,” tourism players said.
