Srinagar, Feb 04 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday said it has taken strong exception to the alleged harassment of an elderly Kashmiri patient in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur, raising the matter with the Chief Minister’s Office and securing assurances of prompt action from the government.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) said they have taken up the matter of the harassment and intimidation of an elderly Kashmiri patient in Saharanpur with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s Office and sought immediate intervention at the highest level.
The statement reads, national Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s Advisor, Awanish Kumar Awasthi, and apprised him in detail of the disturbing incident involving Mohd Wali Shah, an elderly Kashmiri man who was harassed and threatened while visiting Saharanpur for medical treatment.
“Khuehami informed the Advisor that the accused identified as Yashasvi Arya, who claims to be the National President of the Hindu Yuva Shakti Sangathan along with his associates, has been captured on video intercepting, intimidating, and harassing Kashmiri Muslim vendors and patients visiting the area,” the statement reads.
It reads, emphasising the paramount importance of protecting citizens seeking medical care and livelihood, Khuehami conveyed serious concerns over the recurring targeting of Kashmiris and warned that such incidents, if left unchecked, risk normalising fear, exclusion, and communal intimidation.
“Responding to the concerns raised, Awanish Awasthi assured full cooperation from the Chief Minister’s Office and informed Khuehami that the matter has been taken seriously and that action is being initiated. He further conveyed that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister will not tolerate any acts of violence, intimidation, or hate directed at Kashmiri shawl sellers, traders, patients, or workers.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Saharanpur Range and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Saharanpur, have informed JKSA that the investigation into the incident is currently being conducted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Deoband. They further stated that necessary and appropriate legal action will be taken against the accused upon the completion of the investigation, in accordance with the law, the statement reads.
The statement reads as, in his assurance, Awasthi also conveyed that strict action will be taken in connection with the incident that occurred in Ramdaspur, Saharanpur, and that those responsible will be dealt with firmly. He reiterated that the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of all citizens, including traders, shawl sellers, labourers, and patients from Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)