Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 17

Notwithstanding heavy casualties in the Pulwama blast, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has come to the aid of Kashmiris living outside the state.

After the deadly suicide bombing that left at least 40 CRPF men dead, there are reports pouring in from various parts of country that Kashmiris are facing backlash and are being targeted and harassed.

The CRPF, which is running a round-the-clock helpline ‘Madadgaar’ in Kashmir, tweeted on Saturday evening stating if any Kashmiri needed help, he or she should contact them.

“Students and public, presently out of Kashmir can contact @CRPFmadadgaar on 24×7 toll-free number 14411 or SMS at 7082814411 for speedy assistance in case they face any difficulties or harassment,” the tweet read.

After the tweet was posted, the CRPF said it had received many calls from students who needed help.

Assistant Commandant Gul Junaid Khan, who is heading the ‘Madadgaar’ helpline, said they got calls from Kashmiri students.

“Mostly the students calling us have a lot of apprehensions. We got calls from Jammu with Kashmiri residents telling us that their ration supplies had finished. We provided them supplies through our local unit,” Junaid, a Kashmiri himself, said. “We also got calls from students from Dehradun and they wanted to come to Kashmir for some days. We are talking to the local police about the issue.” The officer said they were providing assistance to the people who were calling the helpline through their local units.

CRPF Director General Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, who arrived in Kashmir on Friday a day after the deadly blast, said the helpline for Kashmiri students at this point was a service to the nation.

“The ‘Madadgaar’ helpline has been doing excellent work for almost a year and a half now and we will continue to do our service to the nation,” Bhatnagar told The Tribune.