Key Takeaways
- Kashmiris outside J&K face threats and harassment following the Pahalgam terror attack.
- The J&K government and union leaders are urging protection and safety measures for Kashmiris outside J&K.
- Kashmiri students and traders are being intimidated and abused in several states, including Dehradun, where the Hindu Raksha Dal has issued an ultimatum.
Srinagar: Amid growing concerns over the safety of Kashmiris following the deadliest terror attack in Pahalgam, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the government is in touch with authorities in other states to ensure their protection.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue and urged him to take immediate steps to safeguard Kashmiri students and traders facing threats and harassment across the country.
The terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 25 tourists and a local resident, has led to reports of Kashmiri students and traders facing intimidation and abuse in several states. In Dehradun, the Hindu Raksha Dal has issued an ultimatum, asking Kashmiris to leave the city within ten days.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the J&K government is in touch with the governments of others states for their protection.
“The J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. I’m also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states & have requested they take extra care,” Omar said in a post on X.
He was responding to an appeal of his party colleague Imran Dar wherein he had sought immediate intervention of Chief Minister on the issue of rising concern over the safety of students outside J&K.
Concerned over the reports, Mehbooba Mufti spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah, pressing for urgent intervention to ensure the safety and protection of Kashmiris across India.
Mehbooba extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack victims and expressed solidarity with the nation, emphasizing that the people of Jammu and Kashmir stand united against terrorism and violence.
She also raised the alarming issue of threats faced by Kashmiri students and traders in various parts of the country following the attack.
Mehbooba urged the Home Minister to intervene without delay to ensure the safety and protection of these vulnerable communities, wherever such incidents are being reported.
“The Kashmiri diaspora should not have to bear the brunt of this tragedy through threats and harassment. I have requested Amit Shah ji to take immediate action to safeguard our students and traders, ensuring they can live and work without fear,” she said in a statement.
Kashmir’s chief cleric and Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that it was deeply concerning to see students being attacked in the aftermath of the dastardly Pahalgam attack.
“Fear and distress expressed by Kashmiri’s outside, especially students who are being attacked in the aftermath of the dastardly Pahalgam incident seen on videos circulating, is deeply concerning. Urge the concerned authorities to immediately intervene and ensure their safety and protection,” Mirwaiz said
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone also urged the union government to ensure the safety of Kashmiri students.
“There have been many incidents across the country wherein Kashmiri students are being harassed, beaten up, bullied and even asked to vacate their residential premises. I request the union government to please ensure the safety of Kashmiri students,” Lone said.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has already issued an urgent advisory to Kashmiri students across India, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid engaging in public or political discourse amid the escalating tensions. The JKSA reported receiving at least eight complaints of harassment from Kashmiri students in the last two days.
