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Kashmiri students group alleged that Hindutva groups had threatened the vendors, asked them to leave the state and prevented them from selling their goods.

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Kashmiri shawl hawkers working in Himachal Pradesh have appealed for protection after alleging harassment, threats and assaults in parts of the state, according to a statement by the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA).

The association said several vendors from Kashmir, many of whom have been trading in the state for more than two decades, have recently faced intimidation in the Ghumarwin area of Bilaspur district. It alleged that Hindutva groups had threatened the vendors, asked them to leave the state and prevented them from selling their goods.

“They have been threatened and told to leave the state, not allowed to sell their shawls, their belongings vandalised and their mobile phones smashed when they tried to record the incidents,” JKSA said in a statement.

The group added that the vendors possess valid documents and police verification, but claimed they were still being obstructed from carrying out their business. It also alleged that landlords housing the vendors were being pressured to evict them.

JKSA said the traders, many of whom have worked in the region for 25 to 30 years, had contributed to the local economy and social life. “Despite this, they are now facing fear and insecurity,” the statement said.

A video circulating on social media shows a group of Kashmiri vendors describing alleged attacks. In the video, one man says that some vendors stopped working due to fear and claimed that attackers had their faces covered and carried sharp weapons.

One vendor said he was confronted by two or three men who told him to leave the area. “I have been working here for 17–18 years. This is the first time something like this has happened,” he said, adding that his uncle was beaten and shawls worth about 20,000 rupees were stolen.

Another vendor, identified as Bilal, said he was attacked by men whose faces were covered. He said he fled the scene, leaving behind his merchandise, despite having completed police verification.

The students’ association has urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to intervene. It called on the state government to direct authorities to register cases against those involved and take strict legal action.

Earlier this week, Kashmiri shawl sellers were allegedly harassed and targeted in Kasauli in Solan district, JKSA said. According to the association, this was the 16th reported incident this year in Himachal Pradesh involving alleged targeting of Kashmiri vendors.

JKSA said that in the latest incident, the assailants verbally abused the traders, asked them to leave the state and allegedly told them to “go to Pakistan,” before attempting to assault and rob them.