TEHRAN -The business community in Indian controlled Kashmir, representing at least 27 trade organizations, has announced a week-long protest program beginning Wednesday to oppose moves that seek to abrogate the state’s special status under Article 35-A of Indian constitution.

According to reports published in Kashmir-based dailies, the business groups from transport, horticulture, tourism, and other sectors in the state have come together to form an umbrella group to protest the move.

Members of two top trade bodies, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Federation Chambers Industries Kashmir along with Batamaloo traders will hold a peaceful sit-in on August 1. Fruit growers and transporters will hold a similar demonstration on August 4, according to a report in daily Greater Kashmir.

“Article 35A is a constitutional right for Jammu and Kashmir people and we will not therefore allow anybody to fiddle with it,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, a senior trader.

“Business community, be it traders, hoteliers or transporters are ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the special status of our state. Government is using all tactics to take away over special status but we won’t let it happen,” said Muhammad Yaseen Khan, chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance.

Khan said the government has done immense harm to the special status of the state. “First they implemented GST, then Statistics Bill and now attempts are being made to scrap Article 35A”.