Several hoteliers of Agra city in Uttar Pradesh have put up notices asking Kashmiri tourists to remain away from their properties.
A hotel owner in Agra city said that the local population of Kashmir is “supportive of militants despite our security men being killed.”
“Our 46 jawans and officers have been killed in various terrorist activities post February 14 in Kashmir, but still local residents support militants instead of paying homage to slain soldiers. It needs to stop or we will not allow them in our hotels,” The Times of India quoted manager of Kishan tourist lodge as having said.
He added: “The ban will continue in the hotel until our martyrs are not served justice. We need heads of Pakistani soldiers who often kill our men in ceasefire violations.”
Manager of Hotel Riz said, “As an Indian I support Indian defence forces unlike Kashmiri who see our soldiers as enemies. We won’t allow any Kashmiri resident to stay in our hotel until they don’t stop engaging in stone-pelting against our forces and target them.”
The ban comes amid the reports of attacks and harassment of Kashmiri residents and students in various parts of India.
Last night, a Kashmiri Shawl trader from central Kashmir’s Budgam district was ruthlessly beaten by a mob in West Bengal.
A graphic video of the attack which was posted on social media showed blood oozing out from the nose of Javid Ahmad Khan (27) of Astanpora mohallah of Soibugh as the mob abused and forced him to shout ‘Vande Mataram’.