Harassment of Kashmiris Eroding Integration, Says Sajad Lone | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Handwara Sajad Lone on Saturday warned that rising incidents of harassment of Kashmiris in different parts of the country were undermining national integration and should be treated as a national security concern rather than routine law and order issues.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Lone said he had been compelled to speak after being approached by several families from his constituency who reported intimidation and harassment faced by their relatives living and working outside Jammu and Kashmir. He said such incidents raised fundamental questions about the status and security of Kashmiris within the country.

Lone said labour migration from Kashmir was not a recent phenomenon and that a significant portion of the population from districts such as Handwara had been living and working in other parts of India for decades. He said many had settled permanently, contributing economically and socially, and had played a quiet but significant role in strengthening internal cohesion. Describing them as “ambassadors of integration”, he said their alienation posed serious risks.

He criticised what he termed inadequate official responses, arguing that isolated arrests did not reflect the scale of the problem. Lone said trivialising the issue would be dangerous, especially in the context of the long conflict in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989, warning that further alienation of ordinary working Kashmiris could deepen mistrust.

Calling for decisive action, Lone urged the Union Government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to intervene at both central and Union Territory levels. He demanded strict action, including preventive detention laws, against what he described as anti integration elements targeting Kashmiris, and questioned why such measures were selectively applied.

Lone also appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to engage directly with their counterparts in other states to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiris. He warned that continued harassment could have serious repercussions on law and order within the Union Territory as well.

While expressing concern, Lone acknowledged solidarity shown by people in certain states, particularly Punjab, contrasting it with what he described as aggressive behaviour driven by performative nationalism elsewhere. He cautioned against reducing the issue to social media statements and warned that sustained inaction could trigger wider political protests.

Responding to questions on reservations, Lone reiterated his party’s stance that the issue should be addressed within Jammu and Kashmir through district and divisional recruitment mechanisms. He criticised recent notifications, saying the Union Territory government had the authority to make substantive changes if it chose to do so.

Lone also referred to political detentions and civil liberties, alleging that young people were being detained for social media activity, which he said reflected the everyday reality faced by many Kashmiris. He said his party would extend legal assistance to undertrial prisoners and affected families.

Concluding, Lone said the issue demanded immediate and sincere action, warning that continued erosion of the dignity of ordinary Kashmiris would weaken the idea of integration and deepen alienation.