Amnesty urges Centre, state governments to ensure safety of Kashmiris after Pulwama attack

The global rights watchdog Amnesty International India on Monday urged the Centre and the state governments across India to ensure that ordinary Kashmiris aren’t attacked or harassed in the aftermath of Pulwama attack.

In a statement, Amnesty said Central and state government authorities in India must ensure that ordinary Kashmiri women and men do not face targeted attacks, harassment and arbitrary arrests following the killing CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir by a suicide car bomber.

   

Quoting media reports the watchdog said Kashmiri university students and traders in northern states, primarily Uttarakhand, Haryana and Bihar, have been beaten, threatened, and intimidated by some Hindu nationalist groups. 

“Many students are reported to have fled their universities in fear. Two colleges in Dehradun and one in Moradabad have stated that they will not admit new Kashmiri students,” the statement said. 

“We are at a dangerous moment, and authorities must do everything they can to uphold the rule of law,” said Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty India. 

“Ordinary Kashmiris across India who are only seeking to improve their lives should not be singled out for violence simply because of where they come from.”

“The mobs who use patriotism as an excuse to hound Kashmiris out of their homes, hostels and shops are corroding the basic values of the constitution of India. Authorities must investigate all allegations of threats and violence, and bring those responsible to justice,” he said. 

“The Home Ministry has taken the right step by asking state governments to ensure the safety and security of all Kashmiris. Authorities must make sure that this situation does not deteriorate further,” he added. 

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