CM Omar deputes ministers to various cities for safety of J&K residents

Srinagar, Apr 25: In a move aimed to boost confidence of Kashmiri residents residing in the rest of the country, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday deputed his cabinet ministers to different cities across the country to ensure safety of J&K residents, including the students studying in outside colleges. The move comes in wake of the intimidations and open threats received by the students and the traders after  the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people, mostly tourists dead and several others injured on April 22.

“With a view to instilling a sense of security among our students and businessmen currently in other states, I have deputed my Cabinet Ministers to various cities across the country," CM Omar Abdullah wrote on his official X handle. He said the government will stand with its people anywhere and everywhere. "The purpose of these visits is to coordinate efforts with the respective State Governments and ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents," his post of X reads.

As already reported, the Kashmiri students studying in different colleges and universities outside Jammu and Kashmir have been making distress calls, seeking help saying that they were facing threats, intimidations from fringe elements.

Several videos went viral on social media, where the Kashmiri students were seen beaten and thrashed by the lumpen elements in various states. The students said they were beaten, threatened and were warned to vacate and leave or face consequences. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier said that the J&K government was in touch with the governments of the states where these reports are originating from. "I am also in touch with my counterpart Chief Ministers in these states and have requested they take extra care,” he wrote on his X handle.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dehradun, Ajay Singh in a statement said that in wake of Pahalgam attack, reports were received that J&K students enrolled in different educational institutions were being frisked and harassed following which extra deployment of police was made at various locations besides increasing patrolling of Police as well.

"Around 1201 students of J&K are studying in different educational institutions here. We have done their listing as some are putting up in hostels while some are living as PGs. All the students have been asked to immediately report to the Police in case they face any threats or other sort of inconveniences," SSP Dehradun said. He said that Dehradun Police was vigilant and will not allow any untoward incident to happen which will create any law and order situation in the area.

"We have done counseling of youth here and around 25 social media posts have been deleted so far. Even some social media posts promoting hate speeches were also put down," he said. SSP Dehradun said the beat constables have been instructed to remain in touch with the J&K students. "I assure everyone that Dehradun Police will take care of the J&K students. We will ensure that they remain safe here and do not face any problems," he said.

Meanwhile, convener J&K Students Association (JKSA), Nasir Khuehami said that the situation across the country was now under control and had significantly de-escalated. He extended gratitude to the central government and concerned state government for their swift and coordinated intervention.

"The Union Home Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and has issued strict directives to all states to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure public safety of Kashmiri Students," he said. Khuehami said that there was no fresh case of harassment reported anywhere in the country on Friday.