SRINAGAR, Dec 27: Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Saturday termed the alleged harassment and assault of Kashmiris in different parts of the country as a serious issue of national security, calling for immediate intervention by both the Union and Jammu and Kashmir leadership.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Lone said incidents targeting Kashmiris outside the Union Territory should not be viewed as isolated law-and-order problems but as developments with far-reaching implications for national unity. His remarks came in the backdrop of a recent alleged assault on a Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand.
“This behaviour against Kashmiris in other states should not be taken lightly. It directly impacts national security,” Lone said, asserting that Kashmiris who travel outside the region for employment and trade act as informal ambassadors of national integration.
He questioned the message such incidents send back to the Valley. “These people go out believing their economic future is tied to India. They return home after facing harassment. What do you expect them to say when they come back after being assaulted while earning their livelihood?” he asked.
Lone urged the Centre to treat such cases with seriousness, warning that ignoring them could undermine trust and integration. Drawing a sharp contrast, he said that if young Kashmiris could be booked under stringent laws for social media activity, then those allegedly involved in violent acts against Kashmiris should also face strict legal consequences.
“If liking a post on Facebook can land our youth in jail under UAPA, what stops the government from taking tough action against those who assault Kashmiris in broad daylight?” he asked.
In a scathing remark, Lone said that if those accused of attacking Kashmiris were truly courageous, they should be deployed on the country’s borders. “They show their bravery against a shawl seller. If they are so brave, let them defend the borders with China and Pakistan,” he said.
The Peoples Conference chief also appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to personally take up the matter with the concerned state governments. He suggested that the accused in such cases be booked under preventive laws, arguing that such acts send a damaging message against national integration.
“The Lieutenant Governor is responsible for law and order. This issue has the potential to affect stability. It is time he speaks directly to the Chief Ministers of the states where these incidents occur. The Chief Minister should do the same,” Lone said.
He added that if such incidents continue unchecked, political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir should collectively consider staging a protest in New Delhi to draw national attention.
Responding to questions on other political issues, Lone dismissed reports regarding separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq removing references to the Hurriyat Conference from his social media profiles, calling the discussion irrelevant when ordinary Kashmiris face arrests for online activity.
Lone also sought an apology from the Mirwaiz, recalling that he was previously branded an “agent” and subjected to character assassination after joining mainstream politics. “If not publicly, they should at least apologise privately,” he said.
Commenting on the Jammu and Kashmir High Court’s rejection of a PIL seeking the return of undertrials lodged in jails outside the UT, Lone criticised the approach, stating that affected families should directly seek legal remedies. He added that while political parties could facilitate legal assistance, the victims themselves must approach the courts.