Srinagar, Sept 16 (JKNS): A delegation of the Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday called on Superintendent of Police, Dehradun, Pramod Kumar, and discussed issues concerning the safety, security and welfare of students and shawl sellers from Jammu & Kashmir residing and working in the district.
The delegation was led by JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami and accompanied by National President Adv. Umar Jamal, National Spokesperson Dr. Zubair Reshi, National Secretary Adv. Gazi Muzamil, Media Coordinator Mir Zubair, and other members of the association.
During the meeting, the delegation apprised the SP of various concerns and challenges faced by students and seasonal workers from J&K. The delegation emphasised the importance of maintaining regular communication and coordination between the police administration, educational institutions, student representatives and the wider J&K community to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and confidence is strengthened.
Khuehami urged the Dehradun Police to remain vigilant and maintain regular contact with students from J&K. He suggested organising periodic interaction programmes with J&K students and shawl sellers, so that they have direct access to the police administration and feel reassured about their safety and security.
He said such regular engagement would also provide students and their parents with a reliable channel through which they can immediately approach the authorities in case they face any harassment, intimidation, discrimination, threats or other security-related concerns. He emphasised that students should be able to pursue their education in a peaceful environment without feeling insecure because of their regional identity.
The delegation also raised concerns regarding the safety and dignity of shawl sellers and other seasonal workers from Jammu & Kashmir who travel to Uttarakhand for their livelihood. It highlighted reports of incidents over the past several months in which some shawl sellers were allegedly harassed and assaulted by fringe and right-wing elements, creating fear and insecurity among the community. The delegation urged the police administration to take appropriate preventive measures and ensure that they are able to conduct their business peacefully and are not subjected to harassment, intimidation, assault or discrimination.
With the Uttarakhand Assembly elections approaching, the delegation urged the police administration to remain particularly vigilant and ensure that the peaceful environment in the state is not disturbed by any fringe, extremist or disruptive elements. It requested the police to take timely preventive and lawful action against any individual or group attempting to create fear, intimidation or insecurity among students, workers or other residents from J&K.
The association also urged the police to remain alert to attempts to exploit regional, communal or identity-related sentiments for political or social mobilisation. It stressed that the electoral atmosphere should not become a source of insecurity for students and workers who come to Uttarakhand for education and livelihood.
Responding to the concerns raised by Khuehami and the delegation, SP Dehradun Pramod Kumar gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation of continued cooperation. He said that the police administration is committed to ensuring the safety and security of students from J&K as well as shawl sellers and other members of the community residing and working in Dehradun.
The SP assured the delegation that all possible steps would be taken to address security concerns and that the police were closely monitoring the situation. He said that students should not feel insecure or consider themselves away from home, emphasising that they are equal citizens of the country and are part of the larger community.
He further assured the delegation that students would receive necessary support from the police administration and that any genuine security concern brought to the notice of the authorities would be addressed appropriately. He also welcomed continued communication between the JKSA, students and the police so that concerns could be brought to the administration at an early stage. (JKNS)
