'Tourism Should Be Conflict-Neutral': Omar Abdullah Holds Special Cabinet Meeting In Pahalgam
This is the first time the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet meeting took place outside the usual summer capital, Srinagar, or winter capital, Jammu, during Abdullah's government's tenure.
Tourism should be conflict neutral and should not be a barometer to project normalcy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said during a special cabinet meeting in Pahalgam on Tuesday.
The chief minister, in his first press conference after the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, said "three governments" need to work together.
"Tourism is my responsibility, but the security of the tourists is not my responsibility. Three governments will have to work together: the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir, the unelected government of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Centre," Abdullah said.
This is the first time the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet meeting took place outside the usual summer capital, Srinagar, or winter capital, Jammu, during Abdullah's government's tenure.
Chaired a Cabinet Meeting at Pahalgam today. It was not just a routine administrative exercise, but a clear message—we are not intimidated by cowardly acts of terror. The enemies of peace will never dictate our resolve. Jammu & Kashmir stands firm, strong, and unafraid. pic.twitter.com/3Ysyx3tzbe
— Office of Chief Minister, J&K (@CM_JnK) May 27, 2025
He began his press conference by expressing gratitude to people for unequivocally condemning terror violence.
"I want to thank the people of Kashmir especially those of Pahalgam who condemned and stood in one voice against the April 22 terror strike on tourists. For this, I thank them and salute them," he said.
Abdullah also said that steps are being taken to support the tourism sector by his administration and the Centre especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who held a high-level meeting of stakeholders last week.
"I was in Delhi recently where I had a chance to meet the prime minister on the sidelines of the NITI Aayog meeting. I have apprised him about the condition of the tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir and he has assured of complete support," the CM said.
After the special cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the chief minister's office posted on X pictures of the meeting held at the Pahalgam Club.
"The cabinet met here and discussed the government agenda but the meeting in cabinet was to demonstrate that the people will not be cowed down by terrorist violence and our resolve for development of Jammu and Kashmir will continue," he said in his first press conference after the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people, mainly tourists, were gunned down.
In a message on 'X', his office posted that it was not just a routine administrative exercise, but a clear message we are not intimidated by cowardly acts of terror.
"The enemies of peace will never dictate our resolve. Jammu & Kashmir stands firm, strong, and unafraid," it said.
To a question on the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, the chief minister said, "Tourism should be a conflict-neutral activity and should not be a barometer to project normalcy. There are many other mechanisms through which we can measure peace. I would always wish to see that tourism is insulated from conflict and the world should see it as an economic activity."
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