Katra, June 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday promised not to allow the Pahgam terror attack to obstruct development works in the central region, called the “Crown of India” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He praised the border residents for crossing the indiscriminate border by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, and announced an additional relief of Rs 2 lakh for families whose houses were completely damaged and Rs 1 lakh for those whose houses were partially damaged.
Addressing a public rally after flagging off the first train service for the Kashmir Valley, the Prime Minister said, “I will not allow the Pahalgam terror attack to stop the development in JK. The dreams of the youth will be fulfilled and any obstacle will have to face Modi.”
On 22 April, the terrorist attack in Besaran Meadow in Pahalgam killed 25 tourists and a local pony rider, bringing tourism to a standstill in the valley.
“Today, people in JK are looking at new dreams, and are also fulfilling them. Youth are happy with the construction of shopping malls, inauguration of cinema hall. They want JK to become a major shooting destination for films. They also want the field to become a sports hub.”
Modi also appreciated a huge turnout at the famous Kheer Bhavani fair of a major festival of Kashmiri Pandits, and said that the annual Amarnath Yatra was scheduled to begin on July 3.
The Eid festival is in the air and “I promise that Vikas will not be affected by the Pahalgam incident”, he said.
Praising JK people to stand together against Pakistan’s conspiracy in view of Pahalgam terror attack, Modi said that his attitude against the attack has sent a strong message to people with terrorist mentality worldwide that he has made up his mind to respond to terrorism.
Modi said, “Long terrorism for decades burnt schools in Kashmir and ruined the future of two generations. Not only schools, they burnt hospitals and even became a challenge for the local people to contest elections.” Saying that people tolerated terrorism and the devastation caused by its decades, the Prime Minister said, “People had stopped dreaming and thought that terrorism was their future. It was mandatory for JK to get JK out of the danger of terrorism, which we have done successfully.”
Referring to the loss of life and heavy damage due to Pakistan’s firing in the border districts of JK between May 6 and May 10, Modi said that the action of the Pakistan Army showed its frustration as it targeted civil areas in Jammu, Ponch and other districts.
Modi said, “The whole world saw how Pakistan destroyed houses, schools, temples, mosques and gurdwaras. The people of the country also saw the bravery of the border residents who had kept their grounds,” Modi said that every citizen of the country stood behind the families of the victims.
Modi said, “Those of those who lost their lives were recently handed over jobs on merciful basis. We share the pain of more than 2,000 families whose houses were damaged and will be provided with enough relief for repair work,” Modi said.
Saying that the Center has decided to further increase the relief package for the shelling victims, he said, “The owners of the fully damaged houses will be provided an additional Rs 2 lakh and partially in partially damaged houses.”
The Prime Minister also said that his government made tireless efforts for the welfare of the border residents over the years, constructed more than 10,000 underground bunkers in the border villages, helping people to save their lives during Pakistani shells.
Two border battalions were picked up, which provided employment to the border residents, while the process of setting up two women’s battalions is almost complete, Modi said. (Agencies)