Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited Pahalgam and demanded strict punishment for those behind last month’s terror attack, while also warning against “blanket criminalisation” of the people of the region.
In Pahalgam, Mufti met residents “who risked their lives to protect and save tourists” during the terror attack on April 22 that left 25 tourists and a local man dead. She also met tourists currently in the area and “reassured them of the region’s resilience and hospitality”.
Speaking to the reporters, Mufti condemned the killing of tourists and demanded strict punishment for the perpetrators of the attack. “The people of Kashmir unanimously came out against this gruesome attack and unequivocally condemned it,” Mufti said.
“However, the manner in which our local civilians across Kashmir and especially from Pahalgam — shawl vendors, ponywalas, tea sellers and others simply trying to earn a livelihood — are being rounded up for questioning or detained is deeply disturbing,” she said.
She also called out what she said was the mass rounding up of locals. “Even more disturbing are reports that some civilians, who voluntarily presented themselves for questioning to assist the investigation, were labelled OGWs (overground workers) and returned to their families in body bags. These were poor men with no political or militant affiliations, simply trying to cooperate in good faith. While a full and transparent probe must be initiated in these matters without delay, the government should extend immediate financial assistance to their devastated families, who are struggling to survive in extreme poverty,” she said.
Warning against alienation, she said, “Collective punishment of innocent civilians is not how a democratic society responds to tragedy. Accountability and security are important, but we must also uphold the dignity of innocent civilians… This kind of blanket criminalisation of locals not only alienates our people, but also sows seeds of resentment and mistrust.”
Mufti urged Union Home Minister to provide financial support to the tourism stakeholders affected by the recent attack. “Their livelihoods have already suffered due to instability and the current crackdown and must not be made to pay the price,” she said. “These sectors form the backbone of Pahalgam’s economy and have been reeling under immense stress due to repeated disruptions.”
