State identifies over 5,000 Pakistani nationals

Concern grows over safety of Kashmiri students in city after Pahalgam attack

- Shrinivas Deshpande

Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, concerns over the safety of Kashmiri students in Pune have surfaced, prompting an appeal for police assistance.

Kashmiri students undergoing education in the city have written to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, seeking intervention and additional security.

The letter dated April 24, highlighted that some Kashmiri students had received threats on social media after the Pahalgam incident. Considering the tense atmosphere, he urged the police to appoint a senior officer to coordinate with the students.

Sanjay Nahar, founder of Sarhad—an organisation working for the rehabilitation and welfare of Kashmiri students for over two decades—said, "In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, many Kashmiri students returned home to assist Maharashtrian and other tourists. However, in Pune, some students have been receiving threats. We have written to the commissioner to express our concern."

Nahar also pointed to recent attacks on Kashmiri students in Chandigarh and Uttarakhand, noting that such incidents have heightened anxiety among Kashmiri Muslim students in Pune. He added that threats, both online and offline, have further contributed to a sense of fear, prompting the need for police protection to prevent any untoward incidents.

Nahar confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol assured that necessary intervention and full cooperation for the safety and security of the Kashmiri students living in the Pune city.

Taking cognisance of the matter, Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar has scheduled a meeting with the students on Monday to address their concerns and discuss measures for their safety.

Akib Bhat, president of the Kashmiri Students' Association in Pune, said that at least 12 to 15 students have received threats through various social media platforms.