Refusing to interact with Singh, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), a local traders’ body, issued a strongly worded-statement, calling the government’s approach high-handed and “arrogant”. Singh is also slated to have separate one-on-one meetings with Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and governor N.N. Apart from the KEA, Chamber Of Commerce and various hotel associations and transport bodies have also decided to boycott the meeting. Newspapers in Kashmir had stopped printing last week in wake of an alleged state government ban. “Last time the government of India came here in 2010 followed by a parliamentary committee which had discussions with various leaders and trade organisations.

Source: Mint July 23, 2016 13:07 UTC