In a first reaction on the alleged acts of violence against Kashmiris across the country in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday condemned the incidents and warned against the targeting of Kashmiris and minorities.

“Our fight is for Kashmir, not against Kashmir and the people of the state. Kashmiris have suffered the most due to terrorism, and the rest of the country must stand in their support,” PM Modi said while addressing BJP’s ‘Vijay Sankalp’ rally in Rajasthan’s Tonk.

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He further condemned reports of violence against Kashmiri students and warned that such things should not happen in the country.

The Prime Minister also praised the security forces for eliminating the JeM leadership in the valley, handled by the terror organisation from Pakistan, in less than 100 hours of the Pulwama terror attack.

“I am proud of our jawans who within 100 hours sent the perpetrators of the attack on their comrades, to the place where they belong,” he said.

The Prime Minister further asked Pakistan PM Imran Khan to walk the talk and eradicate poverty and illiteracy.

Read | Prevent acts of assault, social boycott against Kashmiris: SC to Centre, 10 states

Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s warning against assaults comes a day after the Supreme Court asked the Centre and 10 states to ensure the safety of Kashmiris against violence and social boycott in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.

The top court directed the Chief Secretaries and police chiefs of states and Union Territories to take prompt action to prevent threats, assaults, intimidation and boycott of Kashmiris, especially students, after the February 14 terror attack.

The notice was issued on a public suit by advocate Tariq Adeeb that focussed attention on the incidents, including Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy’s widely condemned call to boycott Kashmiris.

There has been a sudden rise in the incidents of crimes against Kashmiris after the Pulwama attack that killed over 44 CRPF jawans.

The most recent assault occurred in Yavatmal in Maharashtra when Kashmiri students of Dayabhai Patel College of Physical Education were pounced upon in Waghapur Road area on Wednesday night.

They were intercepted outside their home by activists allegedly from the Yuva Sena, the youth wing of the Shiv Sena. They were slapped, kicked, punched and threatened with dire consequences.

Hundreds of Kashmiri students studying in institutions in Haryana and Punjab had been living in fear of a backlash following the Pulwama attack.

Sikh non-profit organisation Khalsa Aid has sent nearly 300 Kashmiri students from various places back to their home state.

Kashmiri students residing in PG accommodation in Mullana village in Haryana’s Ambala district were told to leave on February 16.

Some Kashmiris also arrived in Mohali from Dehradun and adjoining areas where rightwing Hindu groups were most aggressive, literally driving away the students.