Kashmiri traders feeling scared after ‘false’ media reports, says Shahi Imam

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, November 8

Taking strong exception to the media trial of four Kashmiri traders picked up by the police from Rarri Mohalla here on Diwali’s eve on suspicion, Shahi Imam of Punjab Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman has said a section of the media had branded them as ‘suspected terrorists’ without verification of the facts from the police. It was also reported by the media that arms/ammunition and Pakistani documents were recovered from the Kashmiri traders which was not only a blatant lie but also irresponsible journalism.

Addressing a news conference here on Thursday, the Imam said the traders were released by the police late the same night but they were shocked to see the media reports the next morning as they had been described as suspected terrorists. Apprehending threat to their life and security, Naib Shahi Imam Maulana Usman Rehmani had taken them to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ashwani Kapoor who assured the Kashmiri traders that they were safe and secure like all other residents of the city.

Maulana Habib-ur-Rahman said the chain of events was reprehensible which had created a sense of fear among the residents on the festival of Diwali while the ‘targeted’ Kashmiri traders were also feeling scared over false and unfounded media reports.

He said he had the spirit to fight against terrorists or anti-national forces at any level but at the same time, he could not tolerate that any innocent person, just because he was a Muslim and Kashmiri, should be humiliated by the media on the basis of rumours or false information.

Jatinder Pal Singh and Chetan Puri, chairman and vice-chairman of the Punjab Congress Vyapar Cell, who were present at the occasion, maintained that the Kashmiri traders were members of the fraternity and they would always get a place of honour in the business circles of the city.

Haji Abdul Samad and Habibullah, bot traders from Kashmir, said they were feeling insecure and had heaved a sigh of relief after they were given clean chit by the police. They said any further recurrence of such incidents would close the doors of Kashmiri traders to the business of Punjab (Ludhiana), and they would have to think in terms of shifting elsewhere.