Srinagar, Mar 12 (IANS): The Kashmiri business community on Tuesday took strong exception to NIA summons issued against Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, terming it an "act of harassment" and said the government must "act more cordially" in the prevailing "abnormal conditions".

"The business community in Kashmir believes that the NIA notice served to Mirwaiz is merely to harass him," vice chair of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Abdul Hamid Mir said at a media conference here.

Referring to the socio-religious role played by the institutions headed by the Mirwaiz, Mir said: "These institutions uplift the poor, support orphans and impart education and Islamic values to a majority of the population.

Their contribution is unparalleled, the influential body of businessmen and industrialists claimed.

"Any attempt to weaken these institutions and their leaders by making motivated accusations is a direct interference in our religious affairs.

"We firmly believe that under the present abnormal conditions prevailing in the state, the government should act more cordially to avoid harassment of Kashmiris," Mir said.

"A concerted attempt is being made to cause disruptions and to provoke the peace-loving people of the valley. There are instances of assaults on Kashmiris outside the state."