Valley News Desk

Srinagar: National Conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah, states that something needs to be done for the people from Jammu and Kashmir stranded in other states across the country due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The former J-K chief minister said he and his father, Farooq Abdullah, have been flooded by calls and messages from Kashmiris stuck in various parts of the country, especially in north India.

“Over the last few weeks, since the lockdown was first announced, my father and I have been flooded by calls and WhatsApp messages from Kashmiris stuck in various parts of the country, especially North India,” he said in a tweet.

Among the stranded Kashmiris, Abdullah said, “include labourers, shawl traders, business people and also people who have been repatriated to India and have completed their quarantine. It’s been frustrating to not do as much as one would have liked for them.”

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till 3 May. On the extension’s earlier apprehensions, Abdullah had said that “[in extended lockdown] something will have to be done for people stuck in other states. A lot of them don’t have much money and can’t access any more. There is no work available for them to earn off.”

Hundreds of Kashmiri labourers are currently stuck in many parts of Goa and have demanded either immediate evacuation or some financial help. Meanwhile, a group of Kashmiris stuck in Himachal Pradesh were beaten merciless forcing police to lodge an FIR yesterday. Businessmen and labourers stuck in Goa, who hail from Srinagar, south Kashmir, Bandipora and Tangmarg, Baramulla, are now desperately looking for ways to come out of the Goa, saying, they are worried about what the future holds for them.

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