Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Kashmiris in the doldrums

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In 1984, Kovalam was little more than a desolate palm-fringed beach when Syed Ahmad (not his real name) arrived there for the first time from his home State of Kashmir to set up a handicrafts business.

Today, there are over 180 Kashmiri traders selling handicrafts at the international tourist destination.

Althaf Muhammad Khan’s arrest in Idukki has caused ripples in the Kashmiri community here.

Tradesmen like Syed have to seek police permission (informally though) for recruiting helpers from Kashmir or hosting relatives or guests from their home State.

Kashmiri families here have given the police their photographs and original addresses for verification with Jammu and Kashmir authorities.

Syed’s daughter is studying for a professional course and his son has just joined his flourishing business.

After 24 years in Kerala, he feels the measures are discriminatory.

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