Mehbooba urges CM Omar to take up safety of Kashmiris living outside J&K with PM Modi

Kangan, Nov 20: PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to raise the issue of Kashmiris’ safety living outside J&K with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister in the aftermath of the Delhi blast that killed Wangath resident Bilal Ahmad Sangoo.

Visiting the victim’s home in Wangath, Kangan, Mehbooba met the bereaved family, conveyed her condolences and prayed for the departed soul. She was accompanied by senior PDP leaders Syed Jamat Ali, Bashir Ahmad Mir, Sahil Farooq and others.

Speaking to reporters, Mehbooba Mufti said Bilal had gone to Delhi “only to earn a livelihood for his family but ended up a victim of an act of terror.” She urged the government to extend all possible financial and administrative support to the family “at a time of immense grief and hardship.”

Warning against any backlash against Kashmiris following the blast, she said, “The anger after such incidents is understandable, but it should never be taken out on the people of Kashmir.” She added, “The involvement of a few individuals cannot become an excuse for collective suspicion or harassment of Kashmiris across the country.”

Mehbooba said Kashmiri workers, students and travellers often face intimidation after incidents outside the Valley, and stressed that the administration must ensure their protection. “Innocent Kashmiris should not be subjected to discrimination or fear because of something they had no role in,” she said.

The PDP chief expressed hope that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would formally take up the matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister so that “the rights, safety and dignity of Kashmiris living outside the region are fully safeguarded.”