Srinagar: Prominent trade bodies of the Kashmir valley decided not to meet Dineshwar Sharma, the Government of India’s interlocutor saying that the previous interlocutors and their reports proved futile yielding no results.
The traders of the valley also pointed out that they have a limited role to play in the whole process.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), Houseboat Owners Association of Kashmir (HBOAK) and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Federation (KHAROF) refused to meet Sharma despite invitation from the divisional administration.
Javed Tenga, President of the KCCI said that they got a telephone call from Divisional administration about meeting Sharma.
“KCCI decided not to meet him as earlier interlocutors were meaningless and without any outcome,” he said.
Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) President Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that the traders have a “limited role” confined to economy of the state.
“Being traders, we have a limited role to play. Traders are not politicians. If there is any dialogue on economy and development of the state, we will participate. This programme is aimed at buying peace so let them talk to the people who will consider their offer,” Mir said.
House boat Owners Association of Kashmir and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners’ Federation also did not meet the interlocutor.
The delegations which called on Sharma today included the Fruit Growers Association, Gujjar-Bakerwal Student Association, Sports Federation among others.
Sharma, who kicked off his sustained dialogue process on Kashmir met over 15 delegations at Hari Niwas in Gupkar after his arrival to the valley amid tight security.
Official sources told KNS that the meeting between the delegations and Sharma were fixed by the divisional administration. Sources said that Sharma will be staying in Srinagar till Nov 8 during which he will meet over 60 different delegations.
His meetings with political parties will begin from Tuesday, even as Hurriyat has rejected this dialogue process.
(With inputs from KNS)
