Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar to ensure safety of Kashmiris in state

Thiruvananthapuram: Supreme Court has listed the officers whom Kashmiris should contact in case they fear attack. The officer in Kerala is Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, assistant inspector general (headquarters). The top court told state governments and police chiefs to ensure there are no ‘attacks, threats or social boycott’ over the February 14 bombing, the worst in three decades.

Footage of Kashmiris being taunted or beaten have been widely shared on social media Mr Kumar, who belongs to Jammu and Kashmir cadre, was Kozhikode city police chief before he was shifted to the headquarters recently.

Hailing from Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu, he was shifted to the Kerala cadre in 2013 on compassionate grounds after he suffered an attack there.

The apex court on Friday ordered increased protection for Kashmiris who have faced a violent backlash from a suicide bombing in the troubled territory that killed 40 paramilitary forces.

There are more than 5,000 Kashmiris in Mattancherry engaged in the trade of various Kashmiri products like handicraft shawls, carpets, jewellery and antiques.
A considerable number of Kashmiri traders also live in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

There are Kashmiri students in the Central University of Kerala in Kasargod and also at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).