RTI activist MM Shuja urges Govt to safeguard Kashmiris outside UT

Srinagar, Dec 27: Rights activist and Chairman J&K People’s Forum MM Shuja has said that people from Kashmir deserve to receive the same amount of respect and care outside of Jammu & Kashmir that they give to tourists and pilgrims who come to the Valley.

On several occasions, he said, people from Kashmir have provided shelter and food for Tourists and pilgrims during difficult times and have risked their lives to protect them. “At the same time, however, students and shawl vendors from Kashmir often face violence, harassment, and targeting outside of Kashmir because of certain people taking advantage of the situation, which damages the reputation of India’s long-standing commitment to communal harmony,” he said.

Shuja also appealed to the Ministry of Home Affairs to take effective steps and issue strong directions to all states and union territories to protect and provide safety to Kashmiri students and trader. He urged the respective state and UT governments to take strong action against individuals and groups who are targeting Kashmiris.