Traders from Jammu & Kashmir attacked in Patna

PATNA: At least 40 traders from Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday closed their eight shops at Kashmiri Bazaar on Budh Marg and decided to leave for their native places after around 30 people, who were protesting death of 40 CRPF jawans in Pulwama terror attack, allegedly attacked them with sticks and rods inside the market on Friday and threatened them to leave the city.
At least four Kashmiri traders were injured in the state.One of the traders, Mazid Ahmed, was seriously injured. However, his condition is stated to be out of danger. Police forces were deployed at the market after the incident.
Bashir Ahmed Wani, one of the traders, told TOI over the phone on Saturday that they were from Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir and it was for the first time they faced such a situation in the city in last 35 years.
“We are now planning to return as the shopkeepers are in fear after Friday’s attack. They don’t want to business here anymore,” he said.
“At least 30 motorcycle-borne youth barged into the market and started attacking us. The attackers abused us and threatened us to leave the city immediately,” Wani said, adding the mob also ransacked their shops.
Wani said the Kashmiri traders generally stay in Patna till mid-March. “This time, we have decided to leave soon,” he added.
City SP (central) D Amarkesh said an FIR was lodged against unknown people with Kotwali police station in connection with the incident. “Efforts are on to identify the attackers and arrest them,” he added.