Factories in J&K unable to contact buyers, forced to shut down

With the communication blackout enforced since the modification of Article 370, entering the 19th consecutive day on Friday, normalcy seems far from the Kashmir valley. Several factories have been shut down due to the connectivity issues in the valley.

Jammu & Kashmir:Even as the government claimed that communication services are slowly being restored in Jammu and Kashmir the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of Jammu region are still facing trouble as they are unable to contact their buyers in the Kashmir Valley, resulting in the piling up of their stocks and blockage of capital flow.

As a result many factories in Jammu and Kashmir have been forced to shut down.

Meanwhile, the Jammu-based traders’ body - Chamber of Traders Federation on Thursday demanded a dedicated corridor to transport apples and other perishable items from Kashmir to Jammu.

Migrant workers from other parts of the country are also facing major problems, as they are unable to contact their loved ones ever since the government withdrew special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution.

Rahul (21), a daily-wage worker from Bihar said, "I work in an Apple factory. Many factories have been closed after the government decided to revoke the special status, resulting in huge losses in our business."

"I am unable to contact my family members since August 5. I know they are fine, but they do not know about me," he added.

Another worker Satish Kumar, a resident of Bihar said, "Many labourers left the valley and we are also preparing to leave the place as soon as possible."