Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was worrisome and the economy has suffered since the Centre’s August 5 decision. Addressing a press conference after his week-long visit to the state, Azad said: “The atmosphere of J&K is one of fear, and since it became a union territory, the Centre has been threatening the local administration.”

Businesses in both Jammu and Kashmir have been shut for close to two months now, which has derailed the economy of the state, he said. Every thingthat reaches Kashmir goes from Jammu. So the shopkeepers of Kashmir town andrural areas are completely dependent on Jammu, therefore, due to shut down the business in Jammu is zero,” the senior Congress leader said.

Questioning the decision of the Centre to revoke the special status and bifurcate the state, Azad said that Kashmir has been under siege for over 50 days. “Everything is not okay in both Jammu and in Kashmir, several ruling party leaders are also not speaking due to fear of their nation alleaders,” Azad added.