Handwara incident led to exodus of non-Kashmiri labourers from Valley: Centre

The Centre today admitted that after the Handwara rape and murder incident, a sizeable section of non-local workers and labourers left the Valley due to the threats issued by certain secessionist groups.

New Delhi, Aug 21 : The Centre today admitted that after the Handwara rape and murder incident, a 'sizeable section of non-local workers and labourers' left the Valley due to the threats issued by certain secessionist groups.

Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said that after initial threats made by the secessionist groups against the non-Kashmiri labourers, The Centre issued an advisory to the State Government and conjointly monitored the emerging security scenario, which led to the groups retracting the threats.

"As a result of the various measures taken, exodus of non-state workers has substantially receded and, according to available information, a number of persons who may have left the Valley have also returned," the Minister said.

On July 20, 2007, four persons were arrested for allegedly raping and murdering a young Kashmiri girl. Among the accused, two hailed from outside the State that led to huge anger among the locals in the State.

Jaiswal today said that steps taken by the State Government to instill confidence among the non-Kashmiri workers included, strengthening of security arrangements and operations in areas inhabited by labourers and workers from outside, a survey of such workers, meetings with respectable persons of the areas with the aim of generating public opinion against any such movement and creating a feeling of security amongst non-state workers.

ANI