Democratic forces should resist harassment of Kashmiris: CPI-M

Jammu, Mar 17: CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami today expressed concern over reports of harassment of Kashmiri students outside the state and called upon the state and the central governments to take effective measures to prevent such happenings.

He also said a "vicious environment" was being created in JNU and other institutions across the country by RSS-led communal forces, adding that the central government's handling of the situation has "weakened" the confidence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We express deep concern over the reports regarding harassment and victimisation of Kashmiris in various states outside J&K. We call upon all the democratic forces and human rights groups of the country to strongly impress upon the state and the central governments to take effective measures to avert such happenings," he said.

Tarigami's comments came after the arrest of four Kashmiri students on charges of disturbing public peace following rumours that they had cooked beef in their hostel room on Monday at a private university in Rajasthan's Chittorgarh district.

Police said the students were allegedly manhandled by some others students and locals after the rumours spread but prima facie the meat was not found to be beef.

Tarigami said security concerns voiced by students and businessmen studying and working outside Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the states governed by BJP and its Sangh Parivar allies must be addressed.

He said the younger generation of Kashmiris is already facing "grave disillusionment and hopelessness" due to rising unemployment, uncertainty, limited business opportunities and apathy of the government. Witch hunt by police and administrative authorities of educational and training institutions outside J&K will only add to their "demoralisation and deep alienation", he said.

"This is bound to prove counter-productive and will also dampen the efforts of channelising the energy of Kashmiri youth in positive and healthy direction", Tarigami asserted.

Tarigami also termed reports that Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar had ordered door-to-door checks of houses inhabited by Kashmiris, "shameful".

PTI