Stop anti-Kashmiri violence: Rajnath Singh to CMs

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asked all Chief Ministers to act against those who harass Kashmiris living in their states, amid at least two recent incidents of harassment of youth from the troubled valley in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Rajnath Singh condemned the attack on Kashmiris in Rajasthan's Mewar University where a group of Kashmiris were on Wednesday allegedly called "terrorists", "stone-pelters" and beaten up by locals who were angry over repeated incidents of stone-throwing at security forcs in the valley.

The Rajasthan violence was followed by giant hoardings installed in Meerut that asked "stone-pelting Kashmiris" to leave Uttar Pradesh or face consequences. The warning signs were attributed to the Uttar Pradesh Nav Nirman Sena -- a little known outfit that has also threatened to lauch a massive drive from April 30 against Kashmiris living in Uttar Pradesh.

The group has admitted to have put up the banners that read: "Bhartiya sena par pathar maarne wale Kashmiryon ka bahishkar." (Boycott Kashmiris who pelt stones at the Indian Army). "Kashmiriyo, Uttar Pradesh chhodo warna..." (Kashmiris, leave Uttar Pradesh or else...).

The hoardings also carried the name of the outfit's chief Amit Jani, who shared a picture of the banner on his Facebook account.

Jani told CNN News18 on Thursday that the drive was aimed only at "radical elements" in Kashmir. Police in Uttar Pradesh have slapped a case against Jani.

Dubbing the incidents as "unfortunate" the Home Minister said he had come to know that Kashmiris were subjected to "misbehaviour" in some places.

"I appeal to all the Chief Ministers to ensure security of Kashmiris in their states. They are equal citizens of India and part of our family. No Kashmiri should be harassed. If such incidents happen, action should be taken.

"The contributions of the people of Kashmir in the nation building are immense," the Home Minister told reporters here.

He said he had asked the home ministry officials to circulate an advisory in this regard.

--IANS

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