Centre advises states & UTS to ensure Kashmiris’ safety
MHA acts to curb mischievous elements
NEW DELHI: In a precautionary measure, the Centre on Saturday issued an advisory to states and union territories asking them to ensure the safety of Kashmiris after several reports claimed they were being harassed in some parts of the country, including Dehradun, Aligarh and Ambala, following the terror attack on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. “There have been some reports of students and other residents of J&K experiencing threats and intimidation in the wake of terrorist attack in Pulwama,” Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in an advisory to states.
The issue was also brought to the notice of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In a tweet, Abdullah said, “I have requested him to appoint a nodal officer in the Home Ministry to ensure that the directive issued to states is followed in letter and spirit .... Disappointed the resolution did not include a call for calm."
Former J&K CM and Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “In this time of grief and outrage, attempts will be made to divide us. Religions and identities will be pitted against each other. Our pain mustn't fuel such diabolical plans.”
“Understand the pain & anguish, but we mustn't allow such mischievous elements to use this as an excuse to persecute/ harass people from J&K. Why should they suffer for somebody else's action? We need to be united instead of letting people exploit our fears,” Mufti further said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, curfew continued in Jammu city for the second day and the Army's presence was stepped up on Saturday, a day after violent protests rocked the city over the Pulwama attack. Nine more Army columns were deployed in the city, bringing the total to 18 columns, and the force staged flag marches in sensitive localities.
Officials said the University of Jammu postponed all examinations scheduled for the day and mobile Internet services remained suspended across Jammu region.