Srinagar, May 05: Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti visited Pahgam today, targeting tourists after last month’s horrific terrorist attack. During her visit, she met courageous persons who put their lives at risk to protect and save tourists during a tragic incident. He also interacted with tourists currently holidaying in Pahgam, which convinced him for the flexibility and hospitality of the region.
Speaking to the media on the sideline, Mufti said that a fierce terrorist attack in Pahgam, which left the entire region in mourning, is condemnable and deserves the strongest punishment for the people involved. “The people of Kashmir unanimously came out against this fierce attack and disrespected it. However, the way our local citizens from Kashmir and especially Pahgam – are trying to earn only one livelihood to our local citizens – shawl vendors, Ponivalas, tea sellers and others.
The former CM said that people are being scored by security agencies and they are kept in custody without food and sometimes throughout the day and then wrongly asked to return again for further inquiries, without any indication. He insisted that such blanket criminalization of the local people not only separates our people, but also sows seeds of resentment and mistrust.
Mehboboba Mufti further said, “There are even more disturbing reports that some citizens who voluntarily presented themselves for inquiries for inquiry, were labeled as OGW and their families returned to body bags. These were poor men who had no political or terrorist affiliation. Struggle to survive in excessive poverty.”
Keeping in mind the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, he urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide financial assistance to Ponivals, who plays an important role in facilitating the pilgrimage and calls for hotel businessmen, taxi operators and other tourism – to forgive interest on loans made by workers dependent for the current financial year. “Their livelihood is already caused by instability and current cracks and should not be built to pay the price. These areas build the backbone of the economy of Pahgam and are running again under immense stress due to frequent disruption.”
He urged the government to work with fairness and compassion, not fear and doubt, how Kashmiris have come out unanimously against the Pahgam terror attack. “The collective punishment of innocent civilians is not how a democratic society reacts to the tragedy. Accountability and security are important, but we should also retain the dignity of innocent citizens,” said Mehboba.