Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Tuesday said that an FIR has been registered in connection with the “brutal assault” on a Kashmiri shawl seller in Kaithal district of Haryana, and that a massive manhunt is underway to nab the accused.
The Association welcomed the action taken by the Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, in the matter.
In a statement here, JKSA said that after the issue was taken up with the Haryana Chief Minister’s Media Advisor, Rajeev Jaitly, the Association was informed that an FIR had been registered in connection with the incident and that police teams have been mobilised to trace and apprehend the accused.
JKSA stated that SP Kaithal, Ms. Upasna, informed it that the case has been registered at Kalayat Police Station under Sections 196(1), 299, and 353(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police teams were immediately dispatched, raids are being conducted at multiple locations, and the perpetrators are expected to be apprehended soon. The case remains under investigation.
The Association added that the Haryana Chief Minister has taken serious note of the incident and has “clearly conveyed that acts of harassment, intimidation, and violence against Kashmiri traders will not be tolerated under any circumstances”.
It said the Chief Minister’s Media Advisor also assured that strict and exemplary action will be taken against those responsible and that the state government is fully committed to ensuring justice. “He further conveyed that the Haryana Chief Minister is committed to safeguarding the safety, dignity, and livelihood of all citizens, including traders, workers, and students from the Kashmir Valley who are earning their livelihood across the state,” JKSA said.
The JKSA also informed that another incident reported from Fatehabad district of Haryana is currently also under investigation. The Haryana Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has assured that an FIR will be registered in that case as well and that arrests will be made, ensuring that no accused will be spared.
While welcoming the prompt action by the Haryana government and police, the Association reiterated that repeated incidents of harassment and violence against Kashmiri shawl sellers and traders across various states are deeply concerning and call for strict, time-bound, and deterrent action to prevent their recurrence.
The JKSA emphasized that Kashmiri traders have been contributing peacefully to local economies for decades and must be allowed to live and work with dignity, without fear or intimidation.
Expressing gratitude to the Haryana Chief Minister, the Association added that such swift action sends a strong and reassuring message that the rule of law will prevail and communal hatred will not be allowed to take root.
