Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Apr 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reacted to the reports of harassment to the Kashmir traders and students outside Jammu & Kashmir, saying that he is in touch with his counterparts in these states.
In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said that 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,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the people should stop targeting the people of Kashmir in other states. Speaking to reporters, CM Omar said that there are some reports that people of Kashmir are being targeted in different states.
“I request the people of India not to consider people of Kashmir their enemies. If the Centre is saying that the attack was done by Pakistan, then why are the youth and the students of Jammu and Kashmir being targeted in the outside states? It should be stopped,” he said.
CM Omar further said he spoke to several Chief Ministers and requested them to ensure the safety of Jammu and Kashmir youth in their respective states. “People of Jammu and Kashmir are not enemies of peace. Whatever happened did not take place with our wish. We have to come out of this.”
He added that the government has sympathy with all those who were killed in Pahalgam terror attack. “Be it the local civilian who took bullets to protect our guests or the tourists who had come here to enjoy the vacations,” CM Omar said.
Former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also said that she also spoke with the Home Minister, requesting him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students and traders.
“Spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah to extend my deepest condolences & also express solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We stand with the nation in this hour of mourning. Also requested him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students & traders across various states,” she said.
She also urged the Home Minister to intervene without delay to ensure their safety and protection wherever such incidents are being reported.
Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Lone also raised concern over reports of Kashmiri students being harassed, beaten up and bullied across the country.
“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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the head cleric of Jamia Masjid, expressed concern over the attack on Kashmiris outside Jammu and Kashmir.
“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 wrote.
