Srinagar, February 18 (KMS): The global rights watchdog, Amnesty International has urged Indian government to ensure that ordinary Kashmiris aren’t attacked or harassed in the aftermath of Pulwama blast.
The Amnesty in a statement said the authorities in India must ensure that ordinary Kashmiri women and men do not face targeted attacks, harassment and arbitrary arrests.
Quoting media reports the watchdog said Kashmiri university students and traders in northern Indian states, primarily Uttarakhand, Haryana and Bihar, have been beaten, threatened, and intimidated by Hindu nationalist groups.
“Many students are reported to have fled their universities in fear. Two colleges in Dehradun and one in Moradabad have stated that they will not admit new Kashmiri students,” the statement said.
“We are at a dangerous moment, and authorities must do everything they can to uphold the rule of law,” said Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty India. “Ordinary Kashmiris across India who are only seeking to improve their lives should not be singled out for violence simply because of where they come from.”
“The mobs who use patriotism as an excuse to hound Kashmiris out of their homes, hostels and shops are corroding the basic values of the constitution of India. Authorities must investigate all allegations of threats and violence, and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.