Owais Gul
Srinagar, Apr 25 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said that two-minute silence observed at Jamia Masjid today is a response to the Television channels, who spread hatred against the people of Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters at SKICC, Omar, as per news agency everyone should be satisfied that Jamia Masjid observed 2-minute silence to express solidarity with the Pahalgam attack victims.
“It is the response to the channels who spread hatred against Kashmiris, but they will not telecast it as their channels won’t run such things. Some anchors are cowards, who don’t support the truth. If they support then they could have telecast the silence observed in Jamia Masjid,” he said.
He also said that cabinet ministers have been deputed to the various cities across the country and will meet respective governments to ensure safety of Kashmiris.
Addressing concerns regarding harassment faced by Kashmiri students and traders outside Kashmir, he informed the gathering that he had spoken directly with the Union Home Minister, who assured him of necessary protective measures. An advisory will be issued in this regard, and the Home Minister has also personally reached out to several state Chief Ministers.
Omar Abdullah said that he too has spoken to his counterparts in other states to ensure the safety of Kashmiris across India.
On being asked about Centre’s decision to put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, the Chief Minister said that as a state government, they have never been in support of the IWT. He said that they always believed that the IWT is the most unfair document.
On being asked if the Pahalgam brave heart, who lost his life while saving tourists, will be awarded posthumously, the Chief Minister said that he is the symbol of Kashmir’s hospitality and it is their responsibility to reward him and his family.
He also said that the Maharashtra tour and travels have already said that they will adopt his family and take care of the education of his school-going children
The Chief Minister met various business stakeholders at the SKICC to discuss and deliberate on several issues in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam attack.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Minister’s adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, additional chief secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V K Bidhuri, deputy commissioner Srinagar Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, Commissioner secretary Tourism department Yasha Mudgal and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani said, “This incident has shaken us to the core.” He appreciated the people of Kashmir for rising in protest against the attack and sending a clear message across the country and the world that “this act has no place in our society or our religion.”
Earlier, stakeholders from the tourism sector unanimously condemned the attack, calling it a “murder of humanity.” They emphasized that the Valley is in deep mourning and that commercial concerns are secondary at this time.
They proposed several measures, including: formation of a coordination committee comprising administration, security agencies, and tourism stakeholders; protection and welfare of Kashmiri students and businesspersons outside Kashmir.
Besides, they suggested the Establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at key tourist destinations and countering misinformation and biased media narratives.
The Chairman of Raja & Rani Tour and Travels informed the gathering that the Maharashtra Tour and Travel Operators’ Association has pledged to adopt Syed Adil Hussain’s family.
The association will support the educational needs of his children and provide long-term assistance to his family.
Furthermore, the association has decided that no tour bookings to Kashmir will be cancelled, in a strong show of support and solidarity.
