The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of alleged incidents of harassment, discrimination and attacks on Kashmiri shawl sellers and students in different parts of the country, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said on Saturday.
In a statement, the association said the Commission had registered a case based on a complaint filed by JKSA regarding incidents of intimidation, harassment, communal profiling and physical assaults allegedly faced by Kashmiri traders and students across several states.
According to JKSA, the complaint was submitted earlier this year by its national convenor, Nasir Khuehami, following reports of incidents from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
“The complaint documented instances in which Kashmiri shawl sellers were allegedly assaulted, threatened, humiliated, prevented from carrying out their trade and, in some cases, forced to leave areas where they had been living and working peacefully for decades. Several Kashmiri students also reported denial of accommodation, communal profiling, intimidation and physical threats,” the association said.
JKSA said the development comes months after Kashmiri students and traders were allegedly subjected to repeated acts of violence, harassment and discrimination in different states.
“Despite repeated representations made by JKSA to various state administrations and law enforcement agencies, many affected individuals continued to live under fear and uncertainty, with several traders reportedly compelled to discontinue their businesses and return home,” the statement said.
The association said the NHRC is expected to issue notices to the concerned state governments and seek detailed reports from the respective administrations and police authorities on the incidents highlighted in the complaint.
The reports are likely to include details regarding FIRs registered, arrests made, action taken against the accused, preventive measures adopted by authorities and steps taken to ensure the safety and security of Kashmiri students and traders residing in those states.
