Kashmiri students beaten up in Haryana, Mehbooba Mufti and others demand action

Two students hailing from Jammu and Kashmir were beaten up in Mahendergarh city of Haryana, according to reports. 

Greater Kashmir reports that they are students enrolled in Haryana Central University in Mahendergarh. They were returning to campus after taking part in Friday prayers when they were beaten up by the goons. Around 10-15 people beat them up. Picture of one of the victims have gone viral on social media.  According to students, the attack was without any provocation.  The victims suffered injuries in various parts of the body and were rushed to the hospital. They were let go after treatment. 

According to News18, initially police were reluctant to take FIR and did only after intervention of proctor of HCU. FIR has been filed under 506, 323 and 341 of IPC. Police however has denied that the boys were attacked because they are Kashmiris. 

Soon, prominent J&K politicians reacted to the incident. 

Shocked & disturbed to hear reports of Kashmiri students being assaulted in Mahendargarh, Haryana. I urge the authorities to investigate & take strict action. @mlkhattar

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 2, 2018

This is terrible & goes against the spirit of what @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji said from the ramparts of the Red Fort. I hope the authorities in Haryana act quickly against this violence. https://t.co/5vBU2CxHMD

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 2, 2018

Ex-CM Omar Abdullah went one step further and tagged PM Modi in his tweet. He claimed the incident goes against the spirit of Modi's outreach for Kashmiris during the Independence Day speech.  Later J&K Police tweeted that they are coordinating the Haryana Police in this matter. 

DG J&K Police later tweeted: 

In touch with DGP Haryana. Police is taking cognisance of the incident. https://t.co/RUknFWzn8e

— Shesh Paul Vaid (@spvaid) February 2, 2018

Earlier also students from Kashmir have been attacked in Haryana. In September 2016, three Kashmiri students of MBA college in Jhajjar were beaten up over minor argument. In April 2017, a Kashmiri student at Ganpati Institute of Technology and Management (GITM) was attacked by assailants.