Srinagar, Dec 26, KNT: Peoples Democratic Party Chairperson Mehbooba Mufti Thursday urged Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his counterpart in Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to ensure safe environment for Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur District who are facing harassment, assault, and threats from right-wing groups.
Mehbooba Mufti wrote on microblogging site X that despite proper documents, Kashmiri shawl sellers are being barred from doing business and evicted. “This is the third such incident, highlighting a worrying pattern of targeted violence,” she wrote adding that this othering of Kashmiris will alienate them further.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association also expressed concern over the harassment, assault, and intimidation faced by dozens of Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district.
The Association said that these traders, who have been working in the region for over 30 years, are reportedly being threatened and pressured to leave the state by certain right-wing groups.
National Spokesperson of the Association, Aadil Bhat, said that despite having proper verification and documentation, these shawl sellers are being barred from conducting their business, while their landlords are being pressured to evict them. He urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to intervene urgently.
“These shawl sellers have significantly contributed to the local economy and have become an integral part of the social fabric in Himachal Pradesh. However, they now face insecurity and threats. This reflects a dangerous pattern of targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers regularly, as this is the third such incident in the state. It must be addressed immediately,” Bhat said.
Bhat added that the National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, has raised the issue with the Himachal Pradesh government and spoken to the Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Ritesh Kapret. In response, the Chief Minister’s Office assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible and emphasized that such incidents of intimidation and harassment would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Nasir Khuehami asserted that the hostile environment created by these threats could severely impact the livelihood of the traders. Khuehami urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to address the issue with his Himachal Pradesh counterpart and ensure a safe and secure environment for Kashmiri traders operating in the state.
Meanwhile, Bhat added that Khuehami has also raised the matter with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, who has assured that the issue will be taken up with the Himachal Pradesh government. The Association urged both governments to act swiftly to restore confidence among the Kashmiri community and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. [KNT]
