Attack on Kashmiri Shawl Seller Sparks Concerns Over Rising Violence in India

A violent attack on a Kashmiri shawl seller in Punjab highlights the growing insecurity faced by Kashmiri traders across northern India.

A group of miscreants recently attacked a Kashmiri shawl seller in Kapurthala district, Punjab, India, looting his goods and cash. The victim, Fareed Ahmad Bajad, hailing from Kralpora, Kupwara, was severely beaten and dragged by the attackers. Along with the physical assault, the assailants stole shawls worth lakhs and a significant amount of cash from him.

The incident was confirmed by SSP Kapurthala, Goru Tora, who stated that an FIR has been registered, and assured that strict action would be taken against the culprits. This violent act marks the seventh attack on Kashmiri traders in the past 45 days, raising alarm over the increasing frequency of such incidents.

Kashmiri traders in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Haryana have become frequent targets of violence and robbery, creating a sense of fear and insecurity within the community. These attacks not only threaten their livelihoods but also expose a broader issue of violence against minority communities in the region. The growing trend of these assaults has left many Kashmiri traders anxious about their safety, with calls for greater protection and stricter law enforcement.

The rising number of attacks on Kashmiri traders has sparked concern about their safety and the broader implications for communal harmony in northern India. Local authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety of these traders and bring the perpetrators to justice to prevent further incidents.