Should We Punish the Guilty or Alienate Innocent People? Omar Abdullah Speaks Out

Synopsis
In a powerful statement, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addresses the urgent need to combat terrorism while urging the nation to protect innocent lives. This call for balance resonates in light of the recent Pahalgam attack, as the community unites against violence and seeks justice.
Key Takeaways
- The need for a decisive fight against terrorism.
- The importance of protecting innocent lives amidst the crackdown on terrorism.
- Unity among the people of J&K against acts of violence.
- Efforts by government officials to ensure the safety of Kashmiris outside J&K.
- Community outrage leading to protests against terrorism.
Srinagar, April 27 (NationPress) J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, emphasized on Sunday that the nation needs to engage in a determined battle against terrorism, all while ensuring that innocent individuals are not marginalized.
“Following the Pahalgam terror attack, it’s imperative that we confront terrorism and its roots decisively. The people of Kashmir have vocally opposed terrorism and the senseless killing of innocents, expressing their stance openly and spontaneously,” wrote the Chief Minister on X.
He remarked that it is crucial to leverage this support and refrain from any ill-conceived actions that could alienate the populace. “Punish the guilty without compassion, but do not allow innocent individuals to become collateral damage,” he stated.
Omar Abdullah raised alarms regarding the targeting of Kashmiris outside J&K.
The Chief Minister has already assigned his cabinet members to various states to ensure the protection of Kashmiri students and businesspeople.
State governments have pledged full support to Kashmiris residing outside and have established helplines to assist them.
The attack on April 22 at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, including 25 tourists and a local resident.
The local victim, Syed Adil, died heroically after attempting to disarm one of the attackers. He was the sole provider for his elderly parents.
In a unified response, the people of J&K condemned the terror attack and observed a protest shutdown on April 23 against this cowardly act.
This shutdown marked the first major protest in Kashmir since August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated.
Every facet of the local community, including religious, political, social leaders, industrialists, professionals, and businesspeople, have unequivocally denounced the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
As part of the national outrage following the Pahalgam attack, Kashmiris have expressed shock at some individuals targeting Kashmiris in other regions of the country.