Kashmir shawl retailers looted in Punjab

JALANDHAR — Unidentified people stole shawls and cash worth over Rs five lakh from a rented room occupied by Kashmiri shawl retailers when they had gone outside to clear the transactions with local businessmen at Adhampur in Jalandhar district of Punjab.

These Kashmiri shawl retailers are from Chandigam Lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The incident occurred a day before these shawl retailers were scheduled to return back to Valley.

Divulging information about the incident, one of the victims, Irshad Ahmed told news agency Kashmir News Trust over the phone that the burglars entered into the room in their absence and not only stole shawls worth Rs 50,000 but also cash to the tune of Rs 4.75 lakh.

“The incident occurred in broad daylight. The burglars had made a mess of the room, ransacking everything. We had put the cash into the bag that belonged to a few retailers. Before leaving for home, we wanted to clear the transactions with local businessmen,” he said.

He said they approached the police who assured them that the burglary incident will be solved. “We are finished as we have lost everything that we had earned this season,” Irshad Ahmed said.

The victim shawl retailers appealed to Jammu and Kashmir civil and police administration to intervene in the matter and impress upon the Adhampur Police to nab the culprits.

A police official from Adhampur Police Station said that they have examined the CCTV footage.

“A burglar can be seen leaving the room along with shawls but his face is not clear. We are investigating the incident and hopefully, culprits will be identified and booked,” he said.