Ensure safety of Kashmiri youth, J&K govt tells other states

Srinagar, May 26: Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday impressed upon other states to ensure safety and security of Kashmiri youth and businessmen and suggested nomination of nodal officers for the purpose as done by NCT of Delhi.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B R Sharma made the plea to his counterparts of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, NCT of Delhi and UT of Chandigarh at a meeting of Northern Zonal Council (NZC) here.

Sharma "sought cooperation of the respective state governments in ensuring safety and security of Kashmiri youth and businessmen travelling to various parts of the country in pursuit of higher studies, employment and economic opportunities," an official spokesman said.

"States, besides putting in place all necessary measures to ensure secure environment, are requested to nominate nodal officers as has been done by NCT of Delhi to prevent and efficiently deal with incidents of alleged harassment of Jammu and Kashmir residents," he said at the meeting.

This assumes significance in the wake of allegations that some Kashmiri students were harassed at some places.

"The Standing Committee deliberated upon various inter-state and Centre-state issues like need for fiscal and infrastructural harmony in northern States, joint efforts for export of fruits, flowers, Saffron and vegetables, sharing of water and power resources, sharing of information," he said.

"Concerted action against inter-State criminals, preventing human trafficking and smuggling of drugs and illicit firearms also came up for a detailed deliberation," the spokesman said.

The meeting was also informed that the 'Jammu and Kashmir Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2016' has been drafted and is presently under submission for finalisation.

PTI