 Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 28: Terming the Pahalgam terror attack terrible and brutal Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the incident would mark a turning point in the fight to eradicate terrorism from the region.
Addressing a special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly convened to condemn the April 22 attack, which killed 26 civilians — mostly tourists — in the Baisaran Valley, Abdullah minced no words in his condemnation of terrorism. He asserted that exemplary action would be taken against those responsible.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in a passionate speech, termed the attack a potential turning point in the fight against terrorism, lauding the unprecedented public outrage and unity across party lines. Emphasizing that terrorism cannot be eradicated by force alone, Abdullah highlighted the people’s spontaneous rejection of violence. He firmly rejected the use of the tragedy for political demands, including statehood restoration.
Highlighting the public anger sweeping across the Valley, the Chief Minister said that, for the first time since the eruption of militancy, the people of Jammu and Kashmir had risen spontaneously against terrorism.
“The spontaneous outpouring of grief and condemnation across Kashmir marks the beginning of the end of terrorism in the region,” Abdullah said. He emphasized that the protests were not organized by political parties or summoned by government orders. “For the first time, the residents stood up on their own and said, ‘Not in my name.’”
Recounting his visit to the police control room following the attack, Abdullah described the heart-wrenching scene where children stood helplessly beside the blood-soaked bodies of their fathers. “The faces of those children continue to haunt me. I had no words to tender my apology,” he said emotionally, questioning, “What was the fault of these families? They had come here seeking peace but paid a heavy price.”
The Chief Minister recalled the heavy toll terrorism has taken on Kashmir over the past three decades, citing past attacks on the Assembly complex, Pandit settlements, and Sikh colonies. “We thought those dark days were behind us, but the April 22 attack has recreated the nightmare,” he said.
Despite the tragedy, Abdullah expressed hope, stating that for the fi Chief Minister described the heart-wrenching scene where children stood helplessly beside the blood-soaked bodies of their fathers. “The faces of those children continue to haunt me. I had no words to tender my apology,” he said emotionally,
Responding to growing political demands for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood — an issue that has dominated discourse since the abrogation of Article 370 — Abdullah made it clear that he would not exploit the tragedy for political gain.
“How can I, with what face, use the deaths of 26 innocent people to go to Delhi and demand statehood?” he asked. “Am I so cheap? Is the value of those lives so little that I would use their tragedy as a bargaining chip? No. Curse upon me even if I think of such a thing.”
He stressed that the struggle for full statehood would continue but insisted that the day was dedicated solely to condemning terrorism and standing in solidarity with the victims’ families.
In a strong show of unity, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution expressing “profound shock and anguish” over the Pahalgam terror attack.
Presenting the resolution, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary said, “This House unequivocally condemns the heinous, cowardly act that resulted in the loss of innocent lives.” He called the attack a direct assault on the ethos of Kashmiriyat and the constitutional values of unity, peace, and harmony.
The resolution saluted the bravery of Shaheed Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who laid down his life while attempting to save tourists during the attack. His courage, the House noted, would serve as an inspiration for generations.
Commending the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their extraordinary unity and compassion in the aftermath of the attack, the House emphasized the need for calm, restraint, and communal harmony. It also urged all States and Union Territories to ensure the safety and dignity of Kashmiris residing outside the region.
The Assembly further endorsed diplomatic measures announced by the Union Government and called upon all political parties, civil society groups, religious leaders, and the media to reject divisive rhetoric and uphold national unity.
The session concluded with a two-minute silence in memory of the victims. |
