Harassment of Kashmiris to be taken up with New Delhi

Jammu -- Admitting that Kashmiris were harassed in other states and unfairly dubbed terrorists, the Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday said it would take up the matter with New Delhi to ensure that innocents were not victimised.

"There are instances of Kashmiris who visit other parts of the country for studies, business and other vocations being picked up by police and described as terrorists without proper investigation," Health and Medical Education Minister Mangat Ram Sharma told the assembly.

"This is unfortunate," he said, adding that Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad would be requested to take up the matter with the central government so that directions are relayed to all states.

Sharma intervened in the debate on the issue of harassment of Kashmiris as Azad was not in the house.

Ali Mohammad Sagar of the National Conference raised the issue in the house and wanted to know what action the government had taken to stop the victimisation of Kashmiris in other states. He made particular reference to Kashmiri model Tariq Ahmad Dar, who was released last month from New Delhi's Tihar jail after 90 days in custody.

Dar had been arrested in Dhaka on suspicion of being an Indian spy and deported to India, where he was promptly charged with being a Laskher-e-Taiba man. He was released because the charge could not stick.

Sagar also wanted to know the exact number of Kashmiris in different prisons outside the state.

While agreeing with the National Conference leader, the health minister said legislators should take a comprehensive view of the situation. "There have been terror attacks on the Indian parliament, temples and other places... That aspect too needs to be taken into account."