Pahalgam attacks: Kashmiri locals demand peace, developments over war and conflicts

In videos that went viral on social media platforms, the locals were seen expressing their grief and collectively rejecting the violence and accusations against them.

Hyderabad: Immediately after the Pahalgam attack, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a show of unity and resilience, as locals stood in solidarity with the victims. Front pages of major newspapers in the State were printed in black as a mark of protest while the entire region was shut observing a black day in order to seek justice for the victims.

In videos that went viral on social media platforms, the locals were seen expressing their grief and collectively rejecting the violence and accusations against them. They criticized the attempts by a section of the media and a narrative that tried to unfairly blame the locals, accusing them of links with acts of terrorism.

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In one of the videos that are now going viral, the locals were heard saying: “The attackers have no religion and lack humanity. We too want peace and development.” In another video, a local was seen asserting that the people of Pahalgam too were Indians who were hurt by the incident.

“We strongly condemn the accusations of colluding with the terrorists. We are Indians,” he said.

The locals also vocally blamed the security lapses and absence of adequate checkpoints and police personnel in tourist-heavy areas as a major reason behind the attack.

 

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“Kashmiri locals also died during the attack. We are not responsible for the heinous attack, we are a Union Territory and the security is the responsibility of the government,” said a local while talking to a leading news channel.

 

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Meanwhile, the tourists expressed happiness over the locals extending help and providing them with food and shelter. The tourists, in videos on social media, said the locals and hotel owners opened their houses for shelter, while the autos and taxis offered free rides to the railway stations and airports.

 

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Many locals, highlighting that tourism was vital to Kashmir’s economy, advocated for safety and security and called for a strict action against the attackers. Every Kashmiri, irrespective of their religion echoed the same emotion- desire for peace and development. Their voice is now getting louder than a few television channels who have been trying to create religious divides using the Pahalgam attack.