Just a few days after the tragic terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the region is witnessing a massive uproar from the locals who are coming out in solidarity with the victims and condemning the attacks. Protests are being carried out across various places in Jammu and Kashmir, along with complete shutdowns being observed after 26 tourists were killed by terrorists on Tuesday. Several groups are also walking out in a candlelight march to show their support in this time of tragedy.
Kashmiris Turn Protesters
Pahalgam Valley has seen a shutdown for the first time in 35 years. Markets in the valley were closed down, and people from several organisations and the hospitality sector have come forward to support the bandh to protest against the killings in the terror attack. Even the loudspeakers from mosques were used to encourage people to join these protests.
People from all walks of life carried placards with various slogans from “Hindustan Zindabad” to “I am Indian” and “an attack on our humanity.” Other slogans included “this is an attack on all of us” and “death to terrorists,” along with how “violence will never win.”
Some of the areas where these protests and shutdowns have occurred are from Pahalgam to Srinagar in Kashmir, and from Kishtwar to Doda in Jammu. Reports also claim that in almost three decades, this is the first time such militant killings have seen such a massive outrage.
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Hotelier Asif Burza was quoted by NDTV saying, “This wasn’t just an attack on tourists; it was an attack on our humanity. Our heads hang in shame.” Shopkeepers and hoteliers in the region have also offered free stays of up to 15 days for the stranded tourists. For the first time in a long while, the locals have also shown support for the Indian Army, claiming that they will help completely to catch the terrorists.
As per a Moneycontrol report, a protester said, “If we are needed, we are fully with the Army. We will not tolerate this. We are hurt at our core. We are human beings. This is not about money, business.” Mushtaq Ahmad, president of the Pahalgam Hoteliers and Guesthouses Association, speaking with The Indian Express, said, “We want to tell the world and the attackers that we stand with the tourists,” and that “the protests were necessary to tell the attackers that such attacks can’t be tolerated. It is not that our livelihood has been hit; we can have other means, but it’s a sin to stay silent.”
A shopkeeper from Nowhatta said, “All of Kashmir is speaking in one voice today. We reject this violence.” They also added, “Everyone here understands that those who have perpetrated this attack are against humanity and Kashmiris.” Amna Ali, a Rajbagh resident, as per The Indian Express, speaking about the attack, said, “It is terrible that unarmed civilians bear the brunt of situations and policies that they have no control over.”
“A person who chooses to come here to have a few moments of joy with their families should not have to go back in a coffin.”
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Moneycontrol, The Indian Express, TOI
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This post is tagged under: Kashmir, kashmiris, kashmiris protest, Kashmir protest, Kashmir protest terror attack, terrorist, terrorist attack kashmir, terrorist attack in india, terrorist attack, terrorist news, terrorist attack jammu, pahalgam, pahalgam attack, pahalgam terror attack, pahalgam attack news, pahalgam terrorist
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