SC to take up a plea to prevent attacks on Kashmiris

The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated to take up on Friday a plea by an advocate to issue directions to the Centre and different state governments to protect Kashmiris, facing threats of attacks, after Pulwama terror strike, that claimed lives of over 40 security personnel.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves mentioned the petition filed by advocate Tariq Adeeb before a bench presided over by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

He sought an urgent hearing at 2 pm on Thursday itself, saying it was necessary to protect the citizens.

The bench, also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and Sanjiv Khanna, said, "it is neither possible nor necessary to list it today."

The court, however, the petition may come up for hearing on Friday.

The petitioner sought directions to the Centre and other state governments to "take steps to prevent threat, assaults, violent attack, social boycott, ostracism, eviction and other coercive acts by groups and mobs against Kashmiri and other minorities, particularly in the wake of terrorist attack of February 14 where a large number of CRPF personnel were killed."

The petitioner also sought a direction to head of educational institutions to take steps to protect life and dignity of Kashmiri and other minority students.

The petitioner said a nodal officer should be appointed in every state and each district to prevent any act of violence and prosecute those involved into it.

He said a website should be created to list the incidents and action taken on those matters. The petitioner said a helpline should also be created.