Srinagar : Attack on J&K laborers in Himachal Pradesh has created a fear among Kashmiris who are stranded outside the valley.
Six laborers from the Chenab Valley were injured on Sunday evening when a group of people attacked them with iron rods and sticks at Pundo-Barote in Himachal Pradesh.
As per reports three people have been arrested related to the attack.
However, thousands of Kashmiris who live across India live under fear.
“This incident has created a fear among all Kashmiris. Kashmiris fear we might be attacked in various states,” a laborer in Himachal Pradesh told Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Similarly, Sameer Ahmad, who is stranded in Punjab said , government should ensure safety of Kashmiri students, laborers and businessmen. “When whole world is fighting against COVID-19, laborers of Jammu and Kashmir are being attacked,” he said.
Hundreds of Kashmiris are also stuck in Goa since the government announced lockdown to combat the coronavirus. “We are facing immense inconveniences amid hot weather. We are finding it difficult to get eatables. We request government to evacuate us from here,” Mohammad Rafiq, who is stranded in Goa told KINS.
Meanwhile, with an aim to address the issues faced by the residents of Jammu and Kashmir living in different parts of the country, a 24X7 Helpline Center was established at J&K Resident Commission Office, New Delhi following the lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic.
The staff engaged with the helpline center is working tirelessly for last 14 days to reduce the hardships of the J&K students, business persons, labourers as well as patients who are currently out of J&K, official said.
Helpline is engaged with local administrations of more than 18 states in rendering all possible help in the form of cooked food, dry ration, medicines, vegetables as well temporary accommodation where ever required. It is also pertinent to mention that almost all the district administrations have been very prompt and responsive in their actions and are making sure that all the issues are resolved on war front.
The helpline center is working 24X7 by listening and noting down the queries, calls, grievances and suggestions concerning labourers, business persons, students, their parents as well as close relatives and even patients.
Meanwhile, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said something needs to be done for the people from Jammu and Kashmir stranded in other states due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said he and his father Farooq Abdullah have been flooded by calls and messages from Kashmiris stuck in various parts of the country, especially in north India.
“Now that the (Narendra) Modi government is planning an extension to this lockdown something will have to be done for people stuck in other states. A lot of them don’t have much money. There is no work available for them,” Omar said.(KINS)
