Srinagar, Dec 29 (NationPress) The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) reached out to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday, requesting his intervention to halt the alleged harassment faced by Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh.

The association emphasized the need for immediate action in light of what it termed as an "alarming and ongoing rise in incidents of intimidation, harassment, and targeted violence against Kashmiri students and traditional shawl vendors" in Himachal Pradesh.

In their correspondence, the association highlighted that, although reports of harassment involving Kashmiri students and traders have surfaced in multiple northern states over the past year, Himachal Pradesh has become a focal point of "particularly grave concern".

Despite numerous representations, assurances, and interventions at various levels, such incidents persist with disturbing frequency in the state, while effective measures on the ground appear to be largely lacking.

According to Nasir Khuehami, the National Convenor of the association, there have been at least 18 reported incidents of assault, intimidation, and harassment targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh this year alone.

He expressed deep concern that in many instances, there has been no swift or effective filing of FIRs, no visible arrests, and no deterrent actions, fostering an environment of fear and impunity.

Khuehami remarked that this situation reflects a failure to secure the safety, dignity, and livelihood of thousands of Kashmiri shawl sellers who depend on traditional methods for their sustenance. He noted that many Kashmiri students and traders are currently living in a state of constant fear and significant psychological distress.

"Alarmingly, several individuals have reportedly been compelled to leave Himachal Pradesh, resulting in disruption of education, loss of income, and diminishment of dignity. This is not merely administrative neglect, but a serious absence of political will and moral obligation to protect Kashmiri citizens," the association stated in its letter to the Union Home Minister.

The association cautioned that such occurrences have ramifications that extend beyond Himachal Pradesh.

They pointed out that residents of the Kashmir Valley closely monitor the treatment of Kashmiri citizens in other regions of the country, and that the repeated targeting of innocent Kashmiris, coupled with a lack of accountability, threatens to deepen alienation and erode trust.

The association warned that this could jeopardize long-term national interests and weaken emotional integration. Reiterating that Kashmiris are equal citizens and an integral part of India, Khuehami stated that the targeting of Kashmiri traders or their expulsion from cities only fosters mistrust and social division.

Khuehami emphasized that permitting such harassment to persist unchecked could play into the hands of hostile elements seeking to disrupt India’s social fabric.

The association underscored that acts of violence, intimidation, and communal hatred should not be normalized and that the rule of law must prevail without discrimination. They asserted that India’s strength lies in its unity in diversity, and any attack on that principle is an attack on the nation itself.

Khuehami urged the Union Home Minister to demand a comprehensive report from Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu regarding all reported incidents from the past year, including the status of FIRs, arrests, prosecutions, and preventive measures implemented.

The association also requested clear directives for immediate and time-bound action, accountability for any lapses, and the establishment of reliable security and monitoring mechanisms to protect Kashmiri students and traders throughout the state.

The JKSA expressed hope that timely and decisive intervention from the Union Home Ministry would help regain confidence among affected families, prevent further alienation, and reaffirm the Union government's commitment to safeguarding the constitutional rights, dignity, and safety of every citizen.