Sajad Lone seeks PM’s intervention to safeguard Kashmiris outside Valley

Srinagar, Nov 20: People’s  Conference President Sajad Lone on Thursday appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene for ensuring safety of Kashmiris outside the Valley.

“Please ensure that any citizen of India, including Kashmiris, is not harassed in their own country,” Lone said and expressed concern over reports of initimidation Kashmiri students, labourers and all others outdie the UT have been facing across the country. “Reports of harassment of Kashmiris across India are coming in. Stereotyping of a Kashmiri, unfortunately, is a favourite hobby across the country” Lone said in a statement.

Lone, who is the MLA from Handwara said the incidents of harassment were not new, but the intensity has increased over the past 10 years. “It is not a new trend. It is just that it has become more chronic in the last decade,” he said. Lone highlighted that Kashmiri families have been going through axious times, Lone said lakhs of Kashmiris are in other parts of the country for business, education, or other work.

“The families of these people are most concerned that no adverse events should take place, which will put the safety of their loved ones in danger,” he added.

Lone admitted that extremism existed but emphasised it should not define an entire community. “Yes, there are radical lunatics in every society. But they are an aberration,” he said.