PM Modi calls attack on Kashmiris "work of misguided people", asks state governments to take strict action

National Conference VP and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said, “the BJP-led government at the Centre is "weakening the relationship" between the Union and Jammu and Kashmir.”

Written By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 08 Mar 2019 05:12 PM (IST)

PM Narendra Modi (FILE PIC/AFP)

PM Narendra Modi on Friday called attack on Kashmiris "work of misguided people".

"I would also like to request other state governments to take strict action, wherever such acts take place," he said.

Two Kashmiris selling dry fruit were thrashed by a group of saffron-clad men in Daliganj locality in Lucknow, following which four persons have been arrested, police said Thursday.

Kanpur: PM Narendra Modi on Friday said the attack on Kashmiris post Pulwama terror attack was "the handiwork of misguided people.” The prime minister said he's directed all state governments to take strict action against those responsible for the attacks on the people from the Valley. "It is very important to maintain an atmosphere of unity in the country," Modi said at a gathering here. He said the UP government immediately acted against some "crazed people" who had targeted our "our Kashmiri brothers". "I would also like to request other state governments to take strict action, wherever such acts take place," he said. For the second time in two weeks, Modi has sent a strong message against the harassment of Kashmiris after the Pulwama terror attack. Earlier he said, “it is the duty of every Indian to protect people from the Valley.” The Opposition has flayed Modi for not checking crimes against natives of Kashmir in various parts of the country. Not just the opponents, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiv Sena and the Janata Dal United, all constituents of the BJP-led NDA, have criticised the targeting of Kashmiris and urged the Centre to take stern steps against those fomenting such attacks. PM Modi’s reaction also comes amid outrage over two Kashmiri men being assaulted by saffron-clad men in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow on Wednesday. The video of them getting beaten at Daliganj bridge went viral on social media. The main accused, identified as Bajrang Sonkar, was arrested later. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday said the incident happened in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, which is being represented in the Lok Sabha by the country's Home Minister (Rajnath Singh). The incident also shows that the Prime Minister was not serious about checking incidents like mob lynchings and attacks on Kashmiris, he claimed. National Conference VP and former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said, “the BJP-led government at the Centre is "weakening the relationship" between the Union and Jammu and Kashmir.” Post-Pulwama, large sections of the Sangh family have been demanding abrogation of Article 35A and 370 of the constitution.