‘Not intimidated by cowardly acts’: Omar Abdullah holds cabinet meet in terror-hit Pahalgam, thanks returning tourists | India News

NEW DELHI: In a daring departure from custom, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a particular cabinet assembly in Pahalgam, the picturesque city that was rocked by a lethal terror assault final month, killing 26 individuals, principally tourists.This is the primary time since his authorities took workplace {that a} cabinet assembly has been held outdoors the summer time capital Srinagar or winter capital Jammu. The determination to meet in Pahalgam, a key tourism hub, was greater than symbolic.“Chaired a Cabinet Meeting at Pahalgam today. It was not just a routine administrative exercise, but a clear message, we are not intimidated by cowardly acts of terror,” learn a put up from the chief minister’s Office on X, alongside photographs of ministers seated on the Pahalgam Club.Abdullah mentioned the transfer aimed to “salute the courage of people” and push again towards concern. “The enemies of peace will never dictate our resolve. Jammu and Kashmir stands firm, strong, and unafraid,” his workplace declared.In a private put up on X, the chief minister added, “We came to express solidarity with the local population. We’ve also come to thank all the tourists who are slowly making their way back to Kashmir and to Pahalgam.”

The April 22 assault had led to a steep drop in vacationer arrivals, threatening livelihoods and fuelling concern. Officials say the cabinet’s presence in the city is a direct sign to anti-national forces that violence can not dictate the area’s future.During the assembly, Abdullah additionally highlighted measures to revive tourism: “Sixty tour and tourism operators from Maharashtra are coming to Jammu and Kashmir. I thank all of them. Tourism should be conflict-neutral. From time to time it was used for politics. My government will insulate tourism from the situation.”The cabinet session comes days after Abdullah’s enchantment to the Centre on the NITI Aayog Governing Council assembly. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct PSUs to conduct official conferences in Kashmir and convene parliamentary committee classes right here to spice up the financial system and public morale.“This is not about politics,” he burdened in an earlier 26-minute speech in the Assembly. “I will not use this terror attack to push for restoration of statehood. I do not believe in cheap politics.”A particular one-day Assembly session held in Jammu on April 28 had handed a unanimous decision condemning the assault and vowing to uphold peace and communal concord.Abdullah’s transfer to deliver governance bodily nearer to a wounded city marks a continuation of his earlier efforts. As CM throughout 2009–14, he had chaired cabinet conferences in far-flung areas like Gurez, Machil, Tangdhar, Rajouri and Poonch.