Srinagar, Dec. 30 -- The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention over what it termed a "rise in incidents of harassment and violence" against Kashmiri students and shawl vendors in Himachal Pradesh.

According to the association, a Kashmiri shawl seller, Jehangir Ahmad, was allegedly assaulted by fringe elements in Dehra area of Kangra district last week, and the matter has been taken up with the offices of Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the Himachal Pradesh chief minister.

In a letter to the Union home minister, the JKSA said while incidents involving Kashmiri students and traders have been reported in several northern states over the past ye...