'Harassment' of Kashmiri shawl vendors in Himachal: J&K CM takes up issue with Sukhu

IN A VIRAL VIDEO ON X, SHAWL VENDORS FROM KUPWARA ARE SEEN COMPLAINING OF ALLEGED HARASSMENT AND THREATS IN HIMACHAL

- HT Correspondent

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister (CM) Omar Abdullah on Thursday took up the issue of alleged harassment of Kashmiri shawl vendors in Himachal with his counterpart there, the ruling National Conference (NC) said.

In a post on X, the NC said the Jammu and Kashmir government "is fully seized of this serious matter".

"Chief minister Omar Abdullah has taken up the issue with the Himachal Pradesh CM, and the CM's office is in ongoing communication with the administration in Bilaspur to address the situation," the party said.

Earlier, the political leaders in Valley demanded stern action against those who are "harassing" Kashmiri shawl vendors in Himachal Pradesh and sought intervention of Himachal CM.

Hundreds of shawl vendors in winter months travel to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to sell their products.

In a viral video on X, Shawl vendors from Kupwara are seen complaining of alleged harassment and threats in Himachal. Mushtaq Ahmad Tantray, a resident of Kupwara district, says that some people are harassing them and telling them to leave the area in Bilaspur.