In yet another brutality on Kashmiri vendors, an 18-year-old Kashmiri boy selling shawls with his family in the Vikas Nagar area of Uttarakhand was assaulted by a group of people. The assault left him with a fracture and serious head injuries.
The news, which was shared by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, shows the brutality of the assault; the boy was first stopped and questioned about his identity. The situation snowballed violently after the attackers came to know that the family belonged to the Muslim community and was Kashmiri.
“The boy was beaten mercilessly, struck with iron rods, and punched repeatedly. Other family members were also dragged, slapped, and attacked,” the association said in a statement.
The assault led the victim to land in a hospital which was later referred to Doon Hospital in Dehradun due to the severity of his injuries. The relative said that the blood was oozing from his head after the assault; his left arm has been reportedly fractured.
“This is a chilling reminder of how communal profiling, intimidation, and mob brutality are being normalised against vulnerable communities trying to earn a dignified livelihood during harsh winter months. An 18-year-old helping his family survive the winter by selling shawls was met not with humanity, but with hatred,” the post read.
The JKSA described the incident as communal profiling and mob violence against the family, who are vulnerable and trying to survive through seasonal work.
“This is a chilling reminder of how communal profiling, intimidation, and mob brutality are being normalized against vulnerable communities trying to earn a dignified livelihood during harsh winter months. An 18-year-old helping his family survive the winter by selling shawls was met not with humanity, but with hatred,” the statement read.
“We strongly urge the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand to intervene immediately, ensure the registration of a strict FIR, and book all the culprits under relevant sections of law. This case must be pursued with seriousness, and a clear precedent must be set so that such acts of hate and violence are not repeated with impunity,” it added.
“The government must act decisively to ensure justice, restore confidence, and hold the perpetrators accountable for this heinous act. Is this the atoot ang you speak of?” the post said.
