“Terror won’t stop tourism in Kashmir”, Says CM Omar at special cabinet meet in Pahalgam

Pahalgam|May, 27: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday held a special Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, which was hit by a deadly terror attack in April, sending out a strong message that “cowardly acts of terrorism will not stop tourism in the Valley”.
The symbolic move, the first of its kind in recent memory, was aimed at projecting normalcy and resilience in one of Kashmir’s most scenic but sensitive tourist destinations. On April 22, Pahalgam witnessed a gruesome terrorist strike that claimed 26 civilian lives and triggered fresh fears about the safety of visitors in the region.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Abdullah said, “We did not come here just to tick off a government formality. We came here to give a strong message that terrorism and bloodshed will not stop tourism, happiness and development in Jammu and Kashmir”. Furthermore, the Chief Minister called for tourism in the region to be treated as a “conflict-neutral” space, highlighting its vital role in the local economy. “Tourism should remain a conflict-neutral activity as t is a lifeline for thousands of families in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Abdullah also lauded the courage shown by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially those living in Pahalgam, in the aftermath of the April massacre. “This meeting is our way of thanking them — for their resilience, for raising their voice against terrorism, and for not giving in to fear,” Abdullah said.