Amid escalating tensions and military confrontations in parts of the Middle East, the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) has voiced serious concern over the safety and security of residents of Jammu and Kashmir currently living and working in the region.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Wing, KTMF Chairman Abrar Ahmed Khan and President Hilal Ahmad Mandu urged India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take immediate and proactive steps to protect Kashmiri traders, workers, and students. They warned that many are facing grave threats to both their lives and livelihoods.
Key Concerns Raised
Threat to Lives and Business Assets
Chairman Abrar Ahmed Khan expressed deep anxiety over the vulnerability of Kashmiri business interests, particularly in the handicrafts and fruit export sectors operating in Iran and Gulf countries. He stressed the urgent need to secure warehouses, business assets, and trade consignments amid the ongoing unrest, while ensuring the personal safety of traders on the ground.
Plight of Stranded Students
President Hilal Ahmad Mandu highlighted the difficulties faced by students stranded in cities such as Tehran and Shiraz. With commercial flights limited, suspended, or prohibitively expensive, he called for swift government intervention to prevent what he described as a looming humanitarian crisis for affected families.
Demands Put Forward
The KTMF leadership has called for:
Immediate Diplomatic Intervention: Active engagement by Indian embassies to ensure the safety and protection of residents from Jammu and Kashmir.
Government-Supported Evacuation: Arrangement of subsidized chartered flights to facilitate the safe return of stranded students and workers.
Dedicated Nodal Support System: Establishment of a special helpline or nodal office to provide real-time updates and assistance to anxious families in Kashmir.
Reiterating that the safety of citizens must remain the highest priority, the KTMF urged authorities to act swiftly and decisively to secure the safe return and protection of those affected.
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