SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Thursday issued a statement refuting widespread reports about the alleged assault of a Kashmiri shawl seller in Gurugram, Haryana, calling them “false and misleading.”
The Association in a statement issued here clarified that upon learning of the viral claims, it immediately reached out to local sources, police officials, and even contacted the Haryana Chief Minister’s Office for verification. “After thorough inquiry, it was confirmed that no such incident occurred in Gurugram. Instead, the reported incident took place in the Bhat area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat,” the statement said.
Association further noted that its ground volunteers in Gujarat are actively coordinating with local authorities to verify the full details of the incident and locate the victim for possible assistance. “At this stage, it is not even confirmed whether the individual involved is from Kashmir,” the statement added.
The Association expressed concern over the circulation of unverified news, warning that such misinformation could cause unnecessary panic among Kashmiri students, traders, and shawl sellers living outside Jammu and Kashmir. “We appeal to media houses and social media users to verify facts before sharing sensitive news. Spreading rumours only adds to fear and confusion,” it said.
The Association emphasized that it is still in the process of confirming the identity and background of the victim. “We urge everyone to refrain from jumping to conclusions or believing unverified claims until all the facts and circumstances are fully established,” the statement added.