Harassed? We will help you: CRPF to Kashmiri Muslims
PULWAMA ATTACK In Bihar, PM Modi expresses solidarity with families of fallen troopers
NEW DELHI: Kashmiri Muslims in some parts of the country said on Sunday they were facing a backlash, three days after a suicide bomber hit a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy and killed 40 people, with a man being thrashed in New Delhi for allegedly raising anti-India slogans in a charged atmosphere.
In another case, four paramedical students in Rajasthan were charged with sedition over social media posts following last week’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama.
The administration in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under governor’s rule, reviewed the safety of the state’s youngsters studying in different parts of the country after reported disturbances. J&K authorities are in constant touch with different states, an official said. CRPF cautioned people against what it said was fake news “about the harassment” of Kashmiri students spread by some people. “...CRPF helpline has enquired about complaints about harassment and found them incorrect. These are attempts to invoke hatred. Please DO NOT circulate such posts.”
In an earlier tweet that was reposted on the CRPF’s official Twitter handle, the force said: “Kashmiri students and general public, presently out of Kashmir can contact @CRPFmadadgaar on 24x7 toll free number 14411 or SMS us at 7082814411 for speedy assistance in case they face any difficulties/harassment.”
Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday a fire was burning in his heart after last week’s attack in Pulwama, paying tributes to two troopers from Bihar who were killed in the deadliest strike on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.
At a public meeting in north Bihar’s Barauni, Modi condoled the families of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel Sanjay Kumar Sinha and Ratan Kumar Thakur, who were among the 40 troopers killed after a suicide bomber in a car targeted their convoy on February 14.
“...to the large number of people who have gathered here, I would like to say the fire that is raging in your hearts, is in my heart as well,” Modi said in Hindi, drawing a thunderous applause from the crowd near the industrial town of Begusarai, about 150km east of Patna.
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, who shared the stage with the PM, expressed hopes of a strong response from India after the Pulwama strike, which has been claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, too, condemned the “cowardly attack”.
The next part of Modi’s speech was dedicated to development works by his government. At the function, he launched projects worth ~33,000 crore in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
The Opposition was quick to hit out at Modi. Congress leader Prem Chandra Mishra said the foundation-laying exercise was a “feeble attempt” and a “political stunt”. People should get ready to hear more such announcements, particularly at the NDA rally on March 3, said Communist Party of India state secretary Satyanarain Singh.
Later, Modi inaugurated three medical colleges and laid the foundation stone for Women’s Engineering College in Ramgarh.