Asserting that Kashmiri people living in other states could be soft targets in a surcharged atmosphere, former J&K CM Omar Abdullah Friday asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to direct all state governments to ensure their safety.
“My earnest appeal to @rajnathsingh ji to please issue directions to all state governments to take special care in areas/colleges/institutions where Kashmiris are residing/studying. They are soft targets in a surcharged atmosphere,” (Sic) Abdullah tweeted.
“Kashmiris/Muslims in Jammu didn’t attack our CRPF jawans yesterday (Thursday), terrorists did. This violence is a convenient tool by some to shift the blame. Let’s unite against terror, let’s not allow terror to divide us,” Abdullah said.
“Giving vent to anger by attacking innocent people because of their ethnicity or religion is no way to honour the sacrifices yesterday. Reports of violence & arson in Jammu are deeply worrying. I hope political leaders & civil society are able to ensure cooler heads prevail,” Abdullah, who is also the National Conference vice-president, said.
He said if the attention of security forces and the administration is shifted to dealing with “communal violence” in Jammu instead of investigating the attack and preventing further such attacks “who are we helping with the arson & violence?”
Former CM and president Peoples Democratic Party Mehbooba Mufti also urged the Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take requisite measures so that minorities and especially Kashmiris outside valley aren’t intimidated or harassed by miscreants.
Mehbooba in her message stated that “while every person from Kashmir to Kanyakumari is grieved over the gruesome attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama, there are certain elements in the country which are waiting in wings to politicize the situation and vitiate atmosphere peace and communal harmony.”
She also expressed concern over the volatile situation that has emerged in few areas of Jammu. She questioned the Governor administration over the delay done in taking precautionary measures like deployment of security forces in the volatile areas soon after the incident. She termed the acts of arson and violence condemnable and urged the administration to ensure people from minority communities are protected.
She further stressed that the security forces should be deployed for few more days in those areas of Jammu where there are apprehensions of law and order problems.
“Distressed to hear about miscreants in Jammu trying to take advantage of the situation by inciting tension. Guv (Governor) adm (administration) should have preempted this by securing minority dominated areas. Have spoken to IG (inspector general of police) Jammu to deploy additional security,” (Sic) Mehbooba wrote on Twitter.