Srinagar, Oct 18 The Jammu and Kashmir BJP, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) and Kashmir’s chief preacher Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Sunday condemned the stone throwing attack on a Srinagar-bound sleeper bus in Haryana, demanding strict action against those responsible and steps to ensure the safety of Kashmiri travellers.
The incident occurred around 11.30 pm on Saturday at the parking area of Divine Star Dhaba in Haryana’s Karnal district.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said his office had taken up the incident with the Haryana government, which assured prompt and stringent action in accordance with the law.
BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur condemned the attack, saying that targeting people because of their Kashmiri identity was 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,” he said in a statement.
Thakur said Kashmiris were an integral part of India and must be able to travel, work and earn their livelihood anywhere in the country without fear or discrimination. He demanded an impartial investigation and strict legal action against those involved.
The Awami Ittehad Party, headed by Lok Sabha member Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also condemned the incident. In a letter to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, AIP spokesperson Inam Nabi had demanded registration of an FIR, arrest of those responsible and compensation for the damage to the bus.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed concern over the attack, saying an elderly passenger had been injured and others traumatised.
“Disturbed to learn about the attack on a Kashmir bound bus in Haryana, leaving an elderly passenger injured and others traumatised. 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 in a post on X.
According to Inspector General of Police (Karnal Range) Ashwin Shenvi, the bus travelling from Delhi to Srinagar had stopped at the parking area of the Divine Star Dhaba. Two youths from Yunispur village in Kurukshetra district arrived in a car and allegedly hit the bus while attempting to reverse and move ahead. A verbal altercation escalated into a physical fight, with some passengers and dhaba employees joining the confrontation, he said.
The two men allegedly threw stones at the bus, breaking its windowpanes and damaging seats inside the vehicle. A passenger and a dhaba employee sustained injuries, police said.
The police have registered an FIR and rounded up both men for questioning. The bus left for Srinagar around 1.30 am, Shenvi said.
(PTI News)
