Sajad Lone Declares Kashmiris Will No Longer Tolerate Violence Following Pahalgam Attack

The recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam has stirred the people of Kashmir, who are now determined to reject violence, according to Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone. He spoke about a resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly condemning the April 22 terror attack that resulted in 26 deaths, mostly tourists. Lone emphasised the importance of engaging people positively rather than resorting to punitive measures.

Lone highlighted that many regions in Jammu and Kashmir rely on tourism for their livelihood, and the attack was an attempt to destabilise a generation. "We are thankful to our nation, which woke up after 35 years to unequivocally condemn the attack on our guests," he stated. He noted that while some in society have accepted violence as legitimate, this mindset is declining.

Tourism and Social Change

Lone, whose father Abdul Gani Lone was also killed by terrorists, mentioned a shift in societal attitudes towards violence after the Pahalgam incident. He observed that people across Kashmir came together to denounce violence publicly. "The people are no more ready to accept the violence – this is the start of the end of social sanctity of violence," he said.

He stressed the need for a change in mindset regarding the social acceptance of violence. The biggest challenge for law enforcement over the past 37 years has been distinguishing between innocents and terrorists. "For capturing a terrorist, we have seen four innocents getting killed and villages burnt down in the past three decades," he explained.

Role of Law Enforcement

Lone urged law enforcement agencies to avoid actions that might impose unwanted mindsets on people. He refrained from making accusations but highlighted individuals like Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who sacrificed his life saving tourists, as examples to emulate. "Police and army have a limited role as it is the inhabitants of this place who will eventually defeat violence," he added.

He acknowledged that while law enforcers can only contain violence, it is ultimately up to the local population to overcome it. The atmosphere in the country changed significantly after large numbers protested against terrorism, but Lone stressed the need for ongoing engagement with all stakeholders.

Community Response

Lone paid tribute to the victims and praised their families for their maturity in making statements that helped calm tensions nationwide. He also commended Kashmiri youths who risked their lives to assist tourists during the attack. CPIM leader M Y Tarigami warned against falling into religious divides, noting that most victims over 35 years have been Muslims.

Tarigami urged people not to succumb to divisive propaganda and maintain unity to defeat terrorism. National Conference MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani expressed deep condemnation of the incident, noting its rarity over 25 years. He praised Pahalgam residents for their selfless care towards injured tourists.

Condemnation and Unity

PDP's Waheed ur Rehman Parra described the Pahalgam incident as a crime against humanity, not just terrorism. "People from all walks of Kashmir condemned it and showed that we are against terrorism through a series of peaceful rallies and candlelight marches," he said, advocating for martyr status for victims.

The collective response from various leaders underscores a unified stance against violence and terrorism in Kashmir. The emphasis remains on fostering peace and unity among communities while rejecting divisive narratives.