EXPRESSING grave concern over the attack on the nomadic bakerwals at Talwara, Reasi on April 22, by a mob allegedly led by cow vigilantes, Sham Prasad Kesar, regional secretary CPI(M), Jammu, has demanded immediate  and stern  action against the culprits.  Minor child, a woman and an elderly person are  stated to have been seriously assaulted and beaten up resulting in grave injuries to them. 

Pertinent to mention here that the nomadic bakerwals of Jammu region  used to move to Kashmir valley  with the onset of summer season with livestock including sheep, goats, cows etc as a routine exercise. It is deplorable that these poor nomadic people have been assaulted brutally by these elements at a time when the state particularly, the valley, has been witnessing grave situation for more than one year. This action by cow vigilantes is bound to vitiate the situation further.  For sometime such ugly incidents have been taking place in the districts of Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Reasi, thus, creating fear-psychosis among the minorities in the state and the government has been sleeping in deep slumber over the issue, thereby encouraging these elements. The cow vigilantes associated with Sangh Parivar have unleased various such assaults on minorities and dalits across the country since BJP-led government came to power at Delhi. These actions are a threat to the age-old plural ethos of the country which needs to be immediately corrected to save the country.

Sham Prasad Kesar exhorted upon the district administration to arrest forthwith all the involved culprits, award punishment to them and provide better medical treatment to the injured nomadic victims.