J&K traders refuse to meet Rajnath

Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Srinagar, to impart a healing touch, found very few takers, with trader bodies refusing to meet him, local newspapers reported.

Tensions were further fuelled when a young man injured in last week's clash with armed police died in Awantipora in South Kashmir.

Singh had invited trader bodies to discuss the situation in Kashmir, which has been under curfew for the past 15 days.

Kashmir Economic Alliance, Chamber of Commerce and various hotel associations and transport bodies boycotted the meeting call saying it would be "meaningless" when civilians are being killed and in firing by security forces every day.