Condemning the alleged incidents of harassment of Kashmiri youths outside Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday asked all the states to ensure their safety.
"I have come to know that there were a few incidents of misbehaviour towards Kashmiris in some places. I appeal to all the Chief Ministers to ensure security of Kashmiris in their states,” the Minister said.
"I appeal to everyone to consider Kashmiri youths as their own brethren and treat them well," he said while speaking to the media.
The Home Minister said an advisory is being sent by his ministry to all the states for the safety and security of Kashmiris living there.
Singh's statement came in the wake of reports alleging that Kashmiri students in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh were receiving threats.
Condemning the incidents, the Home Minister said a proper inquiry should be initiated in each case and the strongest possible action should be taken against the guilty.
Singh stressed that a Kashmiri is like any other Indian, adding:
The contributions of the people of Kashmir in nation-building are immense. They are like any other Indian. I appeal to everyone to consider Kashmiri youths as their brethren and treat them well. They are a part of your family.
Reports from Rajasthan said tension prevailed in Chittorgarh on Wednesday when a group of locals clashed with a few Kashmiri students of Mewar University after they were allegedly called "stone pelters" and taunted over a video showing a CRPF jawan being heckled in the Kashmir Valley.
Also, hoardings asking Kashmiri students to leave Uttar Pradesh have appeared in Meerut.
Colleges Remain Closed in Kashmir for Fourth Day
Classes in colleges across Kashmir remained suspended for the fourth day on Friday and authorities discontinued teaching work in higher secondary institutions for a day as a precautionary measure in the wake of students' protest against alleged highhandedness of security forces.
Teaching in all colleges across the Kashmir Valley remained suspended for the fourth day on the trot following the orders of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan, officials said.
The administration had on Monday issued orders for the closure of Kashmir University, all colleges and higher secondary schools on Tuesday after students protested the alleged highhandedness of security forces against students of Degree College, Pulwama, last week.
The suspension of classes in the colleges was later extended by another day.
Students of many of these institutions across the Valley had held protests on Monday. While scores of students were injured in security forces' action against students at Pulwama over the weekend, Monday's clashes also left several injured.
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