Srinagar, Apr 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that people should stop targeting the Kashmiris in other states.
Speaking to reporters, Omar said that there are some reports that people of Kashmir are being targeted in different states.
“I request the people of India not to consider the people of Kashmir their enemies. If the Centre is saying that the attack was done by Pakistan, then why are the youth and the students of Jammu and Kashmir being targeted in the outside states? It should be stopped,” he said.
Omar said he spoke to several Chief Ministers and requested them to ensure the safety of Jammu and Kashmir youth in their respective states. “People of Jammu and Kashmir are not enemies of peace. Whatever happened did not take place with our wish. We have to come out of this.”
He added that the government has sympathy with all those who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. “Be it the local civilian who took bullets to protect our guests or the tourists who had come here to enjoy their vacations,” Omar said
Omar said that he is in touch with his counterparts in these states.
In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said that the J&K government is in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from.
Former Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti said that she also spoke with the Home Minister, requesting him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students and traders.
“Spoke with Home Minister Amit Shah to extend my deepest condolences & also express solidarity with bereaved families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We stand with the nation in this hour of mourning. Also requested him to intervene in the wake of certain elements openly threatening Kashmiri students & traders across various states,” she said.
She also urged the Home Minister to intervene without delay to ensure their safety and protection wherever such incidents are being reported.
People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone also raised concerns over reports of Kashmiri students being harassed, beaten up, and bullied across the country.
“There have been many incidents across the country wherein Kashmiri students are being harassed, beaten up, bullied, and even asked to vacate their residential premises. I request the union government to please ensure the safety of Kashmiri students,” he said.