POLITICAL parties have reacted strongly to the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam town of Kashmir, calling for a strong response while emphasising on a thorough investigation into the possible loopholes in the ensuring strong security for people visiting the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said,”Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will teach the terrorists and Pakistan lesson. Pakistan has started the game, but Indian jawans will end it. India will bring an end to Pakistan… We are confident that our soldiers will do it. This will be a reply from New India.”
MPCC chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said, “The dastardly attack on tourists in Pahalgam deserves full condemnation. We condemn it in strong words. It is against humanity. India will not bend before such cruel attack. It will further become strong.”
Sapkal said the central government should take strong steps to ensure the safety of tourists and citizens in Jammu and Kashmir. “The entire country will remain united against terrorism,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut said,”In Pahalgam terror attack, tourists from across the country lost their lives. Modi Government gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir to keep its control over the state. It removed Article 370 and brought the state under President’s rule. And therefore the central government should take the responsbility for the terror attack.”
Raut said, “Scores of armed jawans were present in Srinagar for Amit Shah. However, for the security of ordinary citizens, not a single jawan was present. Why did this happen? Because the Modi government has not filled up two lakh vacancies in the Indian armed forces. The government has also reduced the defence budget. The government has diverted the defence budget to Ladki Bahin Yojana.”
Raut said PM Modi had said that after demonetisation, terrorism would end in Jammu and Kashmir. ”On the contrary, terrorism is increasing in the state. He lied in Parliament.”
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Urging the central government to adopt a zero-tolerance policy, MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “The attackers should be punished in such a way that their successive generations will remember the consequences.”
Raj said India should respond in the way Israel did after the massacre of their athletes 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. ”During the Munich Olympics in 1972, terrorists had attacked Israeli athletes. Israel retaliated by killing the terrorists and their masterminds. The Israeli response instilled fear in the minds of Palestianians for a long time. Our government should follow the Israeli model and kill the terrorists and their supporters,” he said.
Raj said the attackers asked toursits their religion before firing upon them. “If anyone dares to attack Hindus in this country, we will rise together,” he said.
AAP state spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said, “The Modi Government should ensure a befitting reply to those who killed the tourists in Jammu and Kashmir and those who are behind this dastardly act. The government should prepare the response by taking the opposition into confidence. A thorough investigation is needed to find out what exactly went wrong and how the terrorists could carry out their inhuman action.”
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Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “I condemn this attack. It is an attack on India. It is an intelligence failure.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday led the initiative to safeguard Maharashtra tourists Stranded in Jammu & Kashmir. “Bringing every citizen home safely is the top priority; Additional flights have been arranged to get the tourists back,” Ajit Pawar said in a statement.
Ajit Pawar dialled J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and requested immediate assistance and relief for tourists. Pawar emphasised that the government’s top priority is reassuring the tourists’ families and bringing back every tourist.
Pawar noted that special officers will be appointed in the Disaster Management Cell at the Mantralaya to coordinate with stranded tourists and provide required assistance. He also urged the relatives of stranded tourists not to panic.
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To ensure the safe return of the stranded tourists, Pawar has directed officials to coordinate closely with the central government and the Jammu & Kashmir administration to provide all necessary assistance. He has also contacted the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, and initiated planning to arrange special flights. Maximum flights will be deployed to ensure a quick and safe return of tourists.