Kashmiris Attacked Again by Fringe Elements, Thrashed and Assaulted
The incident took place in Lucknow, four people belonging to Bajrang Dal were arrested
Uttar Pradesh, 7the March: In a yet another incident of abuse of power and roadside hooliganism, some saffron clad men were caught on camera abusing Kashmiri traders in Lucknow. This has come in the wake of nationwide backlash on Kashmiris living across the country, as an aftermath of the Pulwama attack. The fringe has had a big role in the harassment of innocent Kashmiris.
This incident is also a part of that movement, and the perpetrators are very openly flaunting their right-wing affiliation.
On Wednesday evening in Lucknow’s Daliganj area, two dry fruit vendors from Kashmir Mohammmed Afzal Naik and Abdul Salaam were selling their wares were picked out and beaten up by some men clad in saffron clothes. The Kashmiri traders were harassed and can be seen in the video pleading the assaulters to stop. They were asked to show identity proofs too.
It was but a respite to see some locals coming in defence of the Kashmiris. A local man shielded them and asked the assaulters to stop. Disturbingly, the assaulters replied to that by saying that these men are Kashmiris, and that is why they are being beaten up. They said that these men make money here and throw stones in the valley. But the local man stood his ground and asked them not to take law in their own hands, and wait for the police.
The police acted timely, and arrested four accused. All the four assaulters belong to the right-wing fringe group, Bajrang Dal.one of them also claims to be the president of some Vishwa Hindu Dal. The police having taken strict notice of the action, has assured the strongest possible action against people who target innocent Kashmiris. The Kashmiri politicians have taken a note of this, and are raising the issue to question the incident too.
Omar Abdullah in his tweet wrote, ‘Nothing will do more damage to the idea of India in J&K than videos like these.’ PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti also tweeted saying, ‘You humiliate & assault Kashmiris. Make them feel like criminals & that they dont belong to this country.’