Srinagar, April 14 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) senior leader Ghulam Hassan Mir on Tuesday urged the union home minister and government of Himachal Pradesh to take concrete measures to ensure safety of J&K labourers, students and traders stranded there due to continuous lockdown over COVID-19.
 
A statement issued to KNS reads, Expressing serious concern over the incident that took place in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, the other day, wherein some stranded labourers of Jammu and Kashmir were attacked by miscreants, Mir demanded a stern action against the culprits booked under the law.
 
He said while it is understandable that public health emergencies during an outbreak of communicable diseases cause fear and anxiety among people but at the same time the state governments are duty bound to take measures to prevent any sort of prejudices against J&K residents.
 
“The pandemic led prejudices may culminate into increased hostility, chaos and unnecessary social disruptions. JKAP has been receiving a lot of distress calls from the stranded J&K residents who fear for their safety. This is why the government of India should take necessary measures so that these stranded residents do not face any kind of harassment till their return to homes,” the JKAP leader remarked.    
 
He urged the union home minister to direct all the state governments to ensure safety, free accommodation, food and ration for all stranded J&K residents including students, labourers and traders who are unable to return their homes because of the restrictions.
 
 “While it is imperative to enforce mandatory isolation procedure to limit spread of the Coronavirus, the government of India should also take steps to facilitate return of the stranded J&K residents who have completed their quarantine period and have tested negative for the deadly disease,” Mir demanded.
 
He also extended gratitude to the government of India for ensuring return of over 40 J&K residents who were evacuated from Iran and had completed the mandatory period in a navy established quarantine facility in Mumbai.(KNS)