Situation far from normal, Sinha contradicts Shah

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 22

Former Union Minister Yashwant Sinha on Friday contradicted Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim of normalcy in Kashmir.

Sinha-led Concerned Citizens’ Group (CCG) is the first high-profile delegation from the country, which arrived in Kashmir on Friday after abrogation of Article 370.

“Situation in Kashmir is far from normal. Normalcy picture presented in Parliament is incorrect. The statement made by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha is totally averse to the ground situation,” Sinha told The Tribune.

Sinha, who along with five other members is on a four-day visit, representatives of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) who apprised them about economic loss suffered by business community during the ongoing shutdown.

They later met other civil society members and journalists as well. “We are meeting people to assess the situation on ground, especially financial loss suffered by business community due to clampdown,” said Sinha.

The former Union Minister said the CCG would approach the government and seek permission to meet detained political leaders.

Sheikh Ashiq, president, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said, “After abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, the business community has suffered a loss of nearly Rs 12,000 crore.”

Businessmen alleged that the government has made it difficult for them to take loans from banks. “Most of the industrial units are closing down and accounts are being declared non-performing assets (NPAs),” said a businessman in the meeting with the CCG.

“We don’t want people, who meet us, be bothered by the administration,” a member of the CCG said. Sinha would be visiting parts of rural Kashmir in the next two days.

The CCG comprises former Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah; Executive Director, Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation, Sushobha Barve; Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Kapil Kak and senior journalist Bharat Bhushan.

It is pertinent to mention that the administration on September 17 had deported Sinha from Srinagar International Airport.

‘Incorrect statement’

Normalcy picture presented in Parliament is incorrect. The statement made by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha is totally averse to the ground situation in the Valley.  Yashwant Sinha, former union minister