New Delhi: Hurriyat Chairman and prominent Kashmiri religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has voiced serious concern over rising incidents of violence against Kashmiris across various parts of India, following a shocking video that surfaced from Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, showing three Kashmiri traders being brutally assaulted, reported the Dawat News.
The incident has sparked widespread fear among Kashmiris residing and working outside the Valley. Mirwaiz described the attacks on Kashmiri traders and students as a grave and escalating issue, questioning the role of law enforcement agencies in failing to provide security. He condemned the Mussoorie incident where Kashmiri shawl vendors were subjected to both verbal abuse and physical violence, allegedly with the collusion of local police, who reportedly pressured them to leave Uttarakhand.
“After the mass arrests, house demolitions, and crackdowns in Kashmir, ordinary citizens, students, and small traders are now being targeted outside Jammu & Kashmir,” said Mirwaiz. He added that despite the collective sorrow and condemnation by Kashmiris over the recent Pahalgam attack, they are being constantly demonized and made scapegoats.
Appealing to the public to resist hate and propaganda, Mirwaiz emphasized that Kashmiris have always stood in solidarity with tourists and pilgrims during times of crisis and now seek the same support in return. He described the targeting of Kashmiris within and outside the region as collective punishment, which he called unjust and inhumane.
In Mussoorie, nearly a dozen shawl vendors reported being assaulted and forced to flee. Since April 23, miscreants have been targeting Kashmiri traders in Uttarakhand, while police reportedly turned a blind eye. Around 16 other traders from Kupwara district also faced threats, harassment, and were evicted from their rented homes. After the attack, nearly 15–16 traders decided to leave Mussoorie altogether.
A viral video on social media showed members of the Bajrang Dal violently beating two Kashmiri vendors while hurling abuses. Instead of offering protection, local police allegedly advised the victims to vacate the area immediately. The outrage led to the arrest of three individuals—Suraj Singh from Tehri Garhwal, Pradeep Singh from Mussoorie, and Abhishek Uniyal from Dehradun. Uttarakhand DGP Deepam Seth confirmed legal action is being taken.
Despite the hostile environment, Kashmiris have historically contributed significantly to the economy of Uttarakhand’s tourist areas, selling shawls and winter clothing for decades. However, the recent surge in violence has pushed many to abandon their livelihoods and return home.
One trader, 36-year-old Shabir Ahmad Dar, who has worked in Uttarakhand for over 20 years, described a harrowing night when around 40 individuals, some wielding sticks, attacked. He questioned why they were being targeted despite working peacefully for only two hours a day on Mall Road.
Following Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association also issued a response, stating they had contacted Uttarakhand authorities, who assured them of an investigation.
Tags: Kashmir, Mussoorie Violence, Kashmiri Traders, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Communal Tensions
