The entire Jammu and Kashmir observed complete shutdown on Tuesday with hundreds of people staging the protests on roads against the killing of tourists in Pahalgham terrorist attack which took place on Monday afternoon.
Home Minister Amit Shah also arrived in Kashmir on Monday late evening and visited the Baseren Valley, Government Medical College Anantnag after paying the last respect at Polcie Control Room to all those tourists who died in the attack.
Shah was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared. Amit Shah tweeted.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kins of each slain tourist and Rs 2 lakh to critically injured tourists and Rs 1 lakh to those who received minor injuries.
“No amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of loved ones, but as a mark of support and solidarity, the J&K government announces an ex-gratia,” the Chief Minister said.
Following the dastardly act of terrorism on Monday evening, all trade bodies, educational institutions along with the largest Muslim religious body Muthida Majlis Ulema (MMU) led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had asked for the complete shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir to express the solidarity with the victims of Pahalgham attack.
The trade members wearing the black ribbon on their heads marched across the Lal Chowk and demanded stern punishment to all those who carried out this act.
The police have said that The Resistance Front- an offshoot of Lashker e Toiba has claimed responsibility for the attack in which 28 tourists were killed and dozens got injured.
The area where the attack took place has been cordoned off and a massive manhunt has been launched jointly by the army and Jammu Kashmir police to hunt down the attackers. The tourists are not allowed to proceed towards Pahalgham while those who are leaving the region are being transferred with adequate security measures.
Hundreds of bookings for Kashmir have been rescheduled or cancelled by tourists after the attack, causing a huge distress to the industry which was booming since the last several years after Article 370 abrogation.
“This attack was the murder of humanity and equally a conspiracy to crush the tourism economy which was picking up from the last five years,” said Sadiq Ali, a Shikara owner at Dal Lake.
Sadiq and dozens of other Shikara owners marched with placards towards the Lal Chowk from Dal Lake in solidarity with the victims of the attack.
“Tourists are our guests and we are ready to do whatever we can do for them. We outrightly reject this dastardly act of terrorism that has not only killed the 28 innocent persons but also pierced a sword through our stomach as it has disrupted the tourism season,” said Jan Khan another Shikara owner.
Dozens of eateries in Kashmir offered free food to the tourists who were disturbed due to the prevailing situation while cab and auto associations announced free rides to Airport.
Peoples Democratic Party President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that it was an attack on Kashmiriyat. So, we condemn it and urge Prime minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to take tough action against those involved in this gruesome act. She, however, appealed to maintain unity and calm as enemies are attempting to create communal tensions in the country.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said that whosoever is responsible for this attack will not be spared and it is the responsibility of Prime minister and Home Minster to take tough action against these terrorists.
“This is the first time when the whole of Jammu and Kashmir has come on the same page and all Hindus and Muslims are condemning this act of terrorism. This has never happened before and I assure you all here whosoever is responsible will not be spared,” he spoke to the media after visiting the injured at GMC Anantnag.
The newspapers in Kashmir have also printed front pages black and expressed solidarity with the victims of Pahagham violence. The local leading newspaper Greater Kashmir in its editorial stated that it was an attempt to derail the normalcy in Kashmir and ensure the peace doesn’t sustain. The newspaper termed it a crime and against the soul of Kashmiriyat.
Another newspaper Rising Kashmir in its editorial read that the act was inhuman and an attempt by terrorists to keep their symbolic presence.
“Terrorists have been waiting desperately to create the fear psychosis in Kashmir after the successful Parliamentary and Assembly Elections. They had failed so far to orchestrate an attack of bigger magnitude in Kashmir after the neutralisation of Article 370 and 35A due to the vigilance and alertness of the security personnel,” it reads.
Meanwhile, the police have also released the sketches of suspected terrorists in the public domain. The initial investigation by police reveals that the attack was carried out by 3 to 4 terrorists among which one is believed to be local. (Asem Mohiuddin)
