Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Saturday asked migrant labourers to leave Kashmir within a week, after two non-Kashmiri labourers were accused of raping and killing a teenage girl.
Srinagar, July 28 : Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen on Saturday asked migrant labourers to leave Kashmir within a week, after two non-Kashmiri labourers were accused of raping and killing a teenage girl.
However, the outfit did not say what would happen to those labourers who remain behind.
Another militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad, echoed the same demand.
Thousands of migrant labourers, masons and carpenters, mostly hailing from Bihar, work in the State.
"I am staying here for the last 9 years and have never faced this kind of situation before. Because of the deed of one individual we all are suffering," said Ram Gulam, a migrant labourer.
Police have arrested at least six people, including two non-Kashmiris, this week on charges of raping and killing a 14-year-old girl in Kashmir.
Separatists say labourers from other States deprive youth of Jammu and Kashmir their share of jobs.
"I am not saying that everyone is at fault but one thing I can say for sure is that these outsiders who have come to stay in our state have brought their culture with them. They are staying in our houses and have taken up the jobs of our youths, rendering them unemployed," said Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Chairman of the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has condemned Hizbul's latest call.
"The call given by some groups that outsiders should leave the State is wrong. This is a politically motivated decision. The development of our state is mainly due to the efforts of the outsiders," Azad said.
ANI