Quitting of Non-Kashmiri Labourers May Bring Reprisals for Kashmiris in India

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 5: Three main pro-Indian political parties in restive Kashmir assert that forcing non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans to leave Kashmir can bring reprisals to Kashmiri Muslims living in other Indian states.

Reacting to calls for the ouster of non-Kashmiri labourers from Kashmir, Dr Mehboob Beigh, a senior leader of National Conference, one of Kashmir's oldest pro-Indian political parties, said "It is not only a sheer exaggeration but also misrepresentation of facts."

He said that a criminal act of an individual cannot and should not be reflective of the entire non-Kashmiri labour class.

Police recently found two non-Kashmiri labourers involved in the abduction, murder and rape of a teenage girl in Kashmir and after the incident, the separatist and militant groups called on non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans to leave Kashmir.

In the wake of the quit Kashmir calls, thousands of non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans have left Kashmir so far.

The NC leader said that encouraging the non-Kashmiri labourers to leave Kashmir may bring reprisals to all the Kashmiri Muslims living in different Indian states.

Senior vice president of the pro-India congress party, Abdul Gani Vakil also said that quitting of non-Kashmiris may have a dangerous effect on the Kashmiris living in other parts of India. "Our people are doing business in different Indian states, our youth are working in different places in India and thousands of Kashmiri students are undergoing training in professional courses in different states of India. If the non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans continue to leave Kashmir, definitely some elements in the Indian states would exploit the situation and push back the Kashmiris working or studying there, to Kashmir", he said.

"In short, it (quitting of non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans) will badly affect the economy of Kashmir", he added.

A leader of the pro-Indian Communist Party of India said the quitting of Kashmir by non-Kashmiri labourers and artisans will have wide ranging repercussions.

He said thousands of Kashmiris are living in different states and they may face reprisals if non-Kashmiri labourers continue to leave Kashmir. "Besides, the constructions and developmental work in Kashmir will come to a near halt", he said, adding, "All the pro-Indian and separatist groups should prevail over hardline separatist leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani to withdraw his call so that non-Kashmiri labourers continue to work in Kashmir".

On the criminal elements present in the non-Kashmiri labourers, he said, "It is the duty of the state government and people to keep constant vigil on them so that they do not indulge in criminal activities", he added.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.