Pahalgam terror attack: Congress seeks all-party meet to discuss response to terrorists in Kashmir

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress leaders in J&K following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
| Photo Credit: File photo

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, and urged the Centre to convene an all-party meeting to give shape to the collective resolve to combat terrorism.

The Congress president termed the attack as a direct assault on the unity and integrity of the nation. A meeting of the Congress Working Committee would be convened at the AICC office in New Delhi on April 24 to discuss the issue.

“The government of India should convene an all-party meeting soon so that the feeling will come that we are united, and that all parties stand with the government,” the AICC chief told mediapersons in Bengaluru on April 23.

Demanding that the Centre take swift action to hunt down the terrorists, who killed innocent people touring J&K, Mr. Kharge said, “This is not a time to partisan politics. It’s a moment for collective resolve to ensure justice to families who have lost their dear ones, and strict action against the perpetrators of terrorism.”

Mr Kharge, who spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leaders in J&K, said that Mr. Abdullah has informed him that ‘tourism is the major source of income of the State, particularly in the Kashmir region’.

Quoting the CM, Mr. Kharge said, “Such ‘terrorist attacks will lead to collapse of the State economy’. Mr. Abdullah told me ‘we are finished’.”

Noting that Pakistan-based terrorists claimed responsibility for the killing of innocent people, Mr. Kharge said: “We are all one at this moment. We have to fight collectively to save the county’s unity and integrity. We have to give a fitting response to terrorists. Therefore, we will definitely cooperate with the government of India.”

As the Amarnath yatra would start soon, Mr. Kharge urged the Centre to tighten security in the region to ensure a smooth and peaceful pilgrimage. “The Central Government should take all precautionary measures to ensure protection and security to pilgrims,” he said.

KPCC chief and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar was also present at the press meet.