In Dehra, Local Man Harasses Kashmiri Hawkers as ‘Security Threat’

Date: November, 2025
Naresh Sharma, a local resident, stopped two Kashmiri hawkers on the road, demanded their police verification, and proceeded to search their bags while accusing them of roaming “suspiciously.” He alleged they could be carrying weapons or explosives and repeatedly invoked a recent alleged child-abduction case to justify the harassment, framing them as a security threat. The hawkers said they had been living in Naiharan Pukhra for five to six years and had already submitted their Aadhaar details, but Sharma dismissed their explanation. He ordered them to leave the village immediately and threatened to involve the authorities if they did not comply.