SRINAGAR: The J&K govt and political parties in the union territory have unitedly condemned the attack on a Srinagar-bound bus in Haryana.According to a govt spokesperson, CM Omar Abdullah’s office has conveyed its concern to the Haryana govt, which has assured prompt and stringent action.“This unfortunate incident should never have taken place. I hope the Haryana govt led by Nayab Singh Saini and Haryana Police catch the culprits & take action to ensure these things don’t happen again,” Omar wrote on X.
The bus, travelling from Delhi to Srinagar with around 40 passengers on board, was reportedly attacked by unidentified persons near Kurukshetra in Haryana, who allegedly pelted it with stones and bricks. An elderly Kashmiri passenger sustained injuries in the incident.PDP legislator Waheed ur Rehman Para described it as hate crime. “Hate is making ordinary Kashmiris unsafe. We demand arrests and accountability,” he said.Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called the incident as “disturbing.” “Reports of threats against J&K-registered vehicles are causing concern among people. Those in authority must ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers and take swift and strict legal action against those responsible,” he said.
J&K BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said targeting people because of their Kashmiri identity is unacceptable. “Such incidents are not acceptable in Modi’s India. Kashmiris deserve the same dignity, respect and hospitality in every part of the country as any other citizen. No one should be harassed, assaulted or humiliated because they come from Kashmir,” Thakur said.