Exodus of non-locals may create problems for Kashmiris outside:Gov

Srinagar, Aug 14 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt General (Rtd) S K Sinha said exodus of non-locals from the valley by force may create difficulties for one lakh people from the state in other parts of the country.

In a message on Independence Day, General Sinha regretted the misguided and ill-conceived call given by some separatists and militants, asking all non-locals to quit the state within a week.

This has shocked all correct thinking people, he said and made an appeal to both-- locals and non-locals --in the state to meet this grave challenge unitedly and restore amity and brotherhood.

He said it may create difficulties for the one lakh people of our state, including 20,000 students, living in different parts of the country. ''In our strife torn world of today, acts of terrorism are taking place in different country but in no country has anyone given a call for ethnic cleansing.'' The Governor expressing his anguish over the recent Langate incident, said the barbaric and brutal incident by four criminals--two locals and two non-locals-- has deeply shocked each one of us.

''My heart goes out to the victim and her family.'' However, he complimented the state police for promptly identifying and arresting the criminals.

He said that some 20,000 non-locals have already left and this exodus and another ethnic cleansing in the state may continue.

This is a grievous assault on Kashmir's famous and high tradition of hospitality and was affecting it's growing economy.

A number of separatist organisations have asked non-locals to leave the valley after the Langate incident.

However, breakaway Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said only those non-locals who are indulging in criminal activities should be asked to leave the valley.

UNI