Jammu and Kashmir Socio Economic Coordination Committee (JKSECC) has appealed the President of India to ensure safety and security of Kashmiris currently living, in different parts of the country in connection with trade, travel and studies.
According to a statement, a meeting of JKSECC – an amalgam of various trade, travel, industrial, tourism, horticulture and civil society formations – was held to assess the incidents of violence, intimidation and harassment of Kashmiris in Jammu and other parts of India. The members observed with regret that these incidents continued on Sunday despite the resolution passed at the meeting of all political parties under the chairmanship of Union home minister.
“The reports about the manhandling and harassment of Kashmiri students from many states are still pouring in who are caught in an utmost state of fear,” read the statement.
The President of India should take notice of all these happenings and issue directions to the home ministry as well as to state governments for ensuring that all Kashmiri students, traders and travellers are not harmed.
“He (President) also needs to caution the Prime Minister of India and other political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory speeches and statements that are likely to incite violence and vitiate already surcharged atmosphere,” read the statement.
JKSECC has also demanded a high level judicial probe into the incidents of arson and loot perpetuated on innocent Kashmiris in Jammu since Thursday. “The divisional commissioner, IGD and SSP Jammu and others should immediately be put under suspension for their complicit role in these incidents, demanded the amalgam. While the rioters were burning down the vehicles of Kashmiris, the law enforcing agencies acted as mute spectators,” it said. JKSECC also urged the J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik to depute his officials to remain stationed in all affected states for extending help to scared Kashmiris and facilitate desired students and others in their return to the valley till the situation is brought to normal.
JKSECC expressed its gratitude to the civil socities, NGOs, religious organisations and individual citizens who have extended a helping hand to the Kashmiri students and others within and outside the state. It is heartening that many people have offered their homes for temporary stay of the frightened students and other Kashmiris. JKSECC hopes that such gestures gain momentum to instil confidence in the people living currently in fear.