Mussoorie, Uttarakhand – In a disturbing incident that has raised concerns over the safety of Kashmiri traders in northern India, at least 16 Kashmiri shawl vendors have fled Mussoorie after two of their colleagues were assaulted by individuals identified as members of the Bajrang Dal, reported the Madhyamam.
The attack, which occurred on the bustling Mall Road, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media platforms. The footage shows a group of men repeatedly beating and abusing two vendors, demanding their identity proofs and ordering them to leave the area. The victims, including 36-year-old Shabir Ahmed Dar from Kupwara, expressed shock and fear, stating that they had been visiting Mussoorie during summers for nearly two decades without facing hostility.
Local police have confirmed the involvement of Bajrang Dal members in the assault and have identified three of the attackers as Suraj Singh, Pradeep Singh, and Abhishek Uniyal.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti described the harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers as a “worrying pattern of targeted violence” and urged the governments of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to ensure a safe environment for these traders.
The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association also expressed concern over the harassment, assault, and intimidation faced by Kashmiri traders in the region, urging both state governments to act swiftly to restore confidence among the Kashmiri community.
This incident is part of a series of attacks and harassment faced by Kashmiri traders in northern India. In a separate incident in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur District, Kashmiri shawl sellers were reportedly harassed, assaulted, and threatened by right-wing groups, despite having proper documentation.
The repeated targeting of Kashmiri traders has raised concerns about their safety and the broader implications for communal harmony in the region. Authorities are being urged to take immediate action to prevent such incidents and ensure the protection of all citizens, regardless of their regional or religious backgrounds.
