Dehradun Police Act Swiftly, Arrest Key Accused in Attack on Kashmiri Shawl Seller

Srinagar, Jan 29: Dehradun, January 29: Dehradun Police have arrested the main accused and identified another person involved in the assault on an 18-year-old Kashmiri shawl seller in Uttarakhand’s Vikas Nagar area, following widespread outrage over the incident that left the youth seriously injured.

Police said a case has been registered at Vikas Nagar Police Station under Sections 117(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the attack. The main accused, identified as Sanjay Yadav, has been taken into custody and further legal proceedings are underway.

In a post on X, Dehradun Police stated that swift action was taken after the incident and confirmed that another individual involved in the assault has also been identified.

The incident was highlighted on social media by Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) President Nasir Khuehami, who said the victim was selling shawls along with his family when he was allegedly attacked by a group of individuals. According to Khuehami, the youth was beaten mercilessly, leaving him with multiple bruises, a fractured left arm and serious head injuries after being struck with iron rods.

He said the injured boy was initially taken to a local hospital and later referred to Doon Hospital in Dehradun for specialised treatment. Blood was reportedly oozing from his head following the assault.

Khuehami further alleged that the attackers first questioned the family about their identity and that the violence escalated after learning that they belonged to the Muslim community and were from Kashmir. He claimed that the youth was repeatedly punched, while other family members were dragged, slapped and attacked with iron rods.

Police said the matter is under investigation and assured that strict action will be taken against all those found involved in the incident.