Lethpora attack fallout: Students in various states threatened, asked to leave immediately
Srinagar: Kashmiri students studying in outside states on Saturday said they were forced by landlords to vacate from their rented accommodations in Dehradun in wake of attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama.
The students said the situation was tense in Dehradun and they were forced to vacate their lodgings by the landlords.
They said they will have to spend days and nights on the roads as they don’t have other place where they can take shelter.
“But where we will go at this time? We can’t afford air tickets and rush back as the fare is very high,” the students said.
The students also said that Bajrang Dal and VHP activists had earlier given them an ultimatum of 24 hours to leave Dehradun.
“Earlier some students were beaten in their hostel rooms and rented accommodation as well. We are not feeling safe here at all. We appeal our state police to come forward for our rescue,” the students said.
A police official in Dehradun who was coordinating the issue said the no landlord will be allowed to force the Kashmiri students to vacate their accommodations.
“If any landlord forces the students they should call on this number- 09411112188,” the official said.
However, aspokesman of the J&K Police said they have spoken to their counterparts in Dehradun following reports of harassment of Kashmiri students there.
“The authorities from Jammu and Kashmir Police have spoken to the concerned authorities in Dehradun Police,” said a spokesman, in a statement.
He said the authorities in Dehradun Police have assured that they are in touch with the representative of Kashmir-based boys and that all necessary arrangements for the safety and security of students in Dehradun have been put in place.
“Officers from Jammu and Kashmir Police are in constant touch with the authorities in Dehradun police,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri girls studying at a university in Dehradun said a mob surrounded their hostel premises and were threatening them to vacate their accommodations.
“They are threatening us to vacate the hostels. If we will go outside our rooms we will be attacked as they have surrounded it. We are frightened here and are feeling insecure,” a student said.
The students had locked themselves inside their rooms fearing attacks from the mob.
Another group of over 200 students in Haryana were also thrown out of their rented accommodations and were forced to take refuge at a university hostel.
“We were forcibly thrown out on the roads and now we came to the University hostel,” said a student.
The frightened students are demanding their safety and appealed the state administration to come forward for their rescue.
However, a top police official said they have put the situation under control and all the students were safe.
Earlier, Kashmiri students studying at a university in Rajasthan also appealed the J&K police to ensure their safe journey home.
The students of Pacific University Udaipur said they fear attacks by the RSS and Shiv Sena groups.
“The goons of RSS and Shiv Sena had assembled outside our college as we are leaving for our homes. Officials from university administration with support from local Police accompanied us up to the railway station,” the students said.
A police official at PCR Kashmir however, said they have taken up the matter with Udaipur Police for safety of Kashmiri students. “There is nothing to worry about.”
Meanwhile, there were reports of attacks on Kashmiri businesses in Bihar and Himachal Pradesh as well.
KV Correspondent
