Mussoorie: After reports of assault on Kashmiri students in Dehradun following the Pulwama attack, members of BJP's youth wing have now demanded the ouster of Kashmiri traders , who have rented shops here selling garments since past several yearsThe demand comes in the wake of the terrorist attack on CRPF personnel recently followed by anti-India sentiments expressed by some Kashmiri students in other parts of the country.Rakesh Rawat, president of BJP youth wing of Mussoorie, told TOI that they were issuing an ultimatum to all Kashmiri traders to vacate their shops and leave the town at the earliest. He added, “In light of the Pulwama attack and the subsequent anti-national comments by Kashmiri students in Doon, we feel that the presence of Kashmiris in Mussoorie is a threat to security.”He said that on Monday a formal memorandum would be submitted to the sub-divisional magistrate, Mussoorie, and BJP youth wing workers would also stage a protest at Shaheed Sthal here.“We have given one-week's time to the Kashmiri traders to leave the state, following which we would go on protest,” Rawat said. The protesters have also alleged that the Kashmiri traders are giving disproportionate rent for the shops they have rented.Meanwhile, a Kashmiri trader Altaf Khwaja, a resident of Kupwara, who has been running a shop in Mussoorie since the past four years, said, “We are citizens of India, we pay rent and obey laws. Why should we be asked to leave?" He added that due to some individuals, the bread and butter of all Kashmiris should not be taken away.Rajat Aggarwal, president of Mussoorie Traders’ Association, said, “The landlords must ask for proper verification of their tenants and no arbitrary action should be taken against Kashmiris.”Bhawna Kainthola, station house officer, Mussoorie, meanwhile said that they conduct police verification of Kashmir shopkeepers and their staff regularly. She added that strict action would be taken if anyone tries to disturb law and order in the town.Meanwhile, local residents also defended Kashmiri traders and urged the protesters to follow the rule of law. “Kashmiri traders are doing business lawfully here and shouldn’t be forced to leave,” said a local resident on conditions of anonymity.There are close to 20 shops and about as many residential dwellings rented out to Kashmiri shopkeepers in Mussoorie. A demand for their ouster was also raised around two years ago and the shopkeepers were given an ultimatum to leave by February 2018. The matter was then resolved after the local administration intervened.

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