Kashmiri shawl seller, family assaulted in Uttarakhand

Srinagar, Jan 28: An 18-year-old Kashmiri youth selling shawls was assaulted in Uttarakhand.

A statement of the Jammu Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) issued here expressed deep shock and anguish over the brutal assault on the 18-year-old Kashmiri youth selling shawls along with his family in the Vikas Nagar area of Uttarakhand.

The association said that the youth was attacked by a group of fringe elements, beaten mercilessly, and left with multiple bruises across his body.

ìHis left arm has been fractured, and he sustained serious head injuries after being struck with iron rods. He was initially taken to a local hospital and later referred to Doon Hospital, Dehradun. Blood was reportedly oozing from his head following the assault,î the statement said.

The association said relatives of the victim informed them that the boy was first questioned about his identity.

ìUpon learning that the family belonged to a particular community and was from Kashmir, the violence escalated. The boy was punched repeatedly, while other family members were dragged, slapped and attacked with sharp iron rods,î it said.

Terming the incident a chilling reminder of growing communal profiling and mob brutality, the JKSA said the youth was merely trying to help his family earn a dignified livelihood during the harsh winter.

ìAn 18-year-old selling shawls to support his family was met not with humanity, but with hatred,î the association said.

The JKSA urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to intervene immediately, ensure registration of a strict FIR, and book all the culprits under relevant sections of law.