Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said that some people with nefarious intentions have tried to “incite separatism and terrorism” in the valley again. He said that his ministry would make every effort to reduce the impact on tourism in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the Pahalgam attack.
Talking to reporters on the occasion of the Central Archaeological Advisory Board (CABA) meeting, he said that he and his office are in “frequent contact” with the Chief Secretary and Tourism Secretary of the Union Territory and are monitoring the situation.
A major tourist place was attacked by militants on Tuesday in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, killing at least 26 people, most of which were tourists and many others were injured. The dead include two foreigners (from UAE and Nepal) and two locals.
Shekhawat said that the whole country is sad and hurt by the terrorist attack in Pahalgam yesterday and the lives of many innocent people in it.
He told reporters, “This cowardly incident has hurt our feelings. But some people are trying to incite separatism and terrorism again in Kashmir with their nefarious intentions.
The Union Culture and Tourism Minister also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi left his foreign trip and returned home and Union Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar by postponing his other works and “His stand on this attack clearly reflects India and Prime Minister’s vision of zero tolerance towards terrorism.”
Shekhawat said that as both of them said, it will be ensured that each person responsible for this attack gets “rigid punishment”.
He said, “Earlier, through surgical and air strike, India has given a message to the world that India will no longer tolerate anti -India activities, whether it is from Indian land or from outside the country, India will no longer tolerate.”
Asked if he has approached the Jammu and Kashmir government and the tourism department officials in view of the attack, Shekhawat said, “I am in touch with everyone, my office, my secretary is also in touch with the Tourism Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said, “We are in constant contact and are keeping an eye on it. We will do our best to reduce the loss of tourism in Kashmir and tourism in the whole country due to this incident.”
