Harassment against J&K students: call helpline in Delhi

A round-the-clock dedicated helpline will be available in New Delhi for reporting incidents of harassment against Jammu and Kashmir students purusing education outside the state.
"Dedicated helpline (011-24611108 and 011-24611210) would be available on 24x7 basis in the office of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K, New Delhi for reporting any incident of harassment (against students of J&K outside the state)," said Minister of State for Home, Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo replying to a calling attention notice by JKNPP member Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah, informed Legislative Council here today.
Kitchloo said that it is essential that the students from the state get a conducive and safe atmosphere while pursuing their studies and government has already initiated steps to ensure the same.

The issue of boosting confidence and the sense of security among people of the state studying outside the state has been raised by the Chief Minister in the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security from time to time and National Integration Council, Kitchloo said.
Besides, the government has also been writing to all the state governments seeking their intervention for ensuring a congenial and conducive atmosphere to the people studying, residing and working in their respective states, he said.
In order to ensure safety and security of the students and workers, studying and working in other states, the state has nominated Principal Resident Commissioner (PRC), J&K, New Delhi, as liaison officer to inform any incidence of alleged harassment against the people of the state, the minister said.

Taking cognisance of the report of alleged harassment of the students of Jammu and Kashmir studying in Himachal Pradesh, the state government swiftly took up the matter with the concerned Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Himachal Pradesh for immediate necessary action for checking such incidents, he said.