Srinagar, Feb 20: Demanding an end to ‘aggression’ against Kashmiris in and outside Jammu, scores of non-locals Wednesday held protest here appealing government to take the elements vitiating the atmosphere to task.
“Cholbena Cholbena mara mari, gunda gardi cholbena – meaning bloodshed and hooliganism cannot be tolerated” were the slogans the people of Bengali origin working here shouted during their protest near Hanuman Mandir at Hari Singh High Street here this afternoon. They were also joined by the people from Bihar and Gujarat who work here.
The protesting non-locals while condemning the assaults on Kashmiri people in Jammu and other parts of mainland India, said the acts of arson and assault on Kashmiri students and businessmen by communal forces has brought shame to the entire country.
“We really feel ashamed of what is happening in Gandhi’s India. Our Kashmiri brethren are targeted everywhere, we demand that the culprits whosoever involved in these attacks on Kashmiris be dealt with sternly,” said a protestor Chotay Ram from Patna, Bihar.
He said in order to maintain secular fabric of the country, government must act tough against the “goons” perpetuating violence in Jammu and elsewhere.
Gurnam Singh, a jeweler said the mischievous elements perpetuating atmosphere of hatred in the country should be brought to justice so as to keep the secular fabric of the state and rest of the country intact.
“We have been working in Kashmir for years altogether and we appreciate the forbearance of Kashmiri people who despite all odds maintain communal harmony in the valley,” said Gurnam.
An elderly person, Razzak Muhammad from Bihar, who sells watches on the footpath at Hari Singh High Street, while appealing for calm said the communal riots will in no way prove beneficial for anyone but will only create a sense of alienation among the minorities living in India.
He said people indulging in violence should realize that they are being used by certain elements for their political gains.
