The Kashmiri diaspora have always been recog-nised for their strength of mutual co-operation, self-help support mechanisms and strong links with their place of origin.

In addition, the strength, contribution and capacity of the Kashmiri diaspora to influence change in the development of Lancashire needs recognition. They have common bonds of identity and traditions with the people in Lancashire and in Jammu Kashmir.

Many of the wards in Lancashire where predom-inantly black minority ethnic communities live are experiencing extreme poverty, inequality in health and education and over representation in criminal justice system.

This has to change and all the agencies must look deep into the issues of discrimination and non-recognition of Kashmiri diaspora community in ethnic monitoring systems.

Owais Rajput (via email).