IHK’s fragile economy incurs ‘$2bn loss since Aug 5’

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris continue to observe civil disobedience to protest against India-imposed military clampdown and internet gag, which has incurred a loss of over two billion dollars to the Indian occupied Kashmir’s fragile economy since August 5, the Kashmir Media Service reported.

As part of the civil disobedience movement, business activities continue to remain suspended across the Kashmir valley except for a brief period while schools, colleges and offices wear a deserted look. Public transport too remains off the roads.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that it was planning to sue the Indian government for the damages, the KMS reported.Internet across all platforms as well as text messaging and prepaid mobile services remain snapped.

Indian troops arrested four youth during a cordon and search operation in Arihal area of Pulwama district. The troops also launched violent cordon and search operations in Sunderbani, Akhnoor and Surankot areas of Poonch district.

Meanwhile, New Delhi-based Enforcement Directorate took possession of seven properties of the Kashmiris on the charge of their association with ‘militancy’.These properties are located in Islamabad, Sopore and Bandipora and were earlier attached provisionally.

Meanwhile, a massive protest demonstration was held at Exhibition Ground in Jammu against the continued ban on mobile internet services in Indian occupied Kashmir, according to the Kashmir Media Service.

The protesters led by Panthers Party Chairman Harshdev Singh and Yash Paul Kundal lambasted the Indian government for snapping the mobile internet services in the region for nearly three-and-half months.

Harshdev Singh dubbed the Indian government’s decision to impose ban on the internet services as arbitrary and obnoxious move which has pushed people to Stone Age. Harshdev Singh said such tactics would only aggravate public outrage against the government’s highhandedness.