Shunning Amarnath Yatra, UT will be double blow: Karan

Congress leader Karan Singh on Wednesday urged people not to “shy away” from undertaking the Amarnath Yatra and visiting Jammu and Kashmir during the upcoming tourist season, following the terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead and several injured.

The former J&K Governor said a clear message had to be sent to the enemies that “we will not be cowed down by such cowardly acts”. He asserted that it was the responsibility of the Centre to ensure security in the Union Territory.

The Congress leader and former Union minister said, “The natural calamity in Ramban that took several lives and created havoc was bad enough, but the gunning down of peaceful tourists in Pahalgam has been the most deplorable and despicable act. This carefully planned and executed massacre could only have been the product of cruel and barbaric minds.” “My heart goes out to the families of the tourists who were killed in the attack and I am praying for the recovery of those who have been wounded. I presume steps are being planned to respond to this frightful attack that crossed all norms of civilised behaviour,” he said.

Singh further said it was important to ensure stringent security measures in the tourist season and the Amarnath Yatra, which is scheduled to commence soon.

“Both of these are major factors in the economic life of the Kashmiris, and it would be a double tragedy if, as a result of this unspeakable crime, people shy away from participating in both these events,” he added.

“Full participation will send a clear message to our enemies that we will not be cowed down by such cowardly acts,” he said.