Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has voiced her concern over claims that the Jammu and Kashmir administration is pressuring non-local labourers to leave the Valley. This call for intervention comes just two days after a horrific terrorist attack in Ganderbal, which claimed the lives of a doctor and six non-local labourers.
Mufti, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her apprehension. “After the barbaric attack at Sonamarg, there are reports that the local administration is pressurising non-local labourers to leave the valley immediately. While I understand their obvious sense of panic, asking them to leave in this manner is not a solution,” she stated.
The former Chief Minister highlighted the potential for a detrimental ripple effect. “Will only create more difficulties & sends a very bad message to the country. J&K recently witnessed peaceful terror-free elections & this knee-jerk reaction will only prove otherwise. Might also cause outrage against Kashmiris working & studying in other states,” she asserted.
Mufti, requesting intervention from current Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha, urged them to at least provide the non-local labourers with ample time to leave the valley.
This plea follows a series of violent incidents. On Sunday, terrorists opened fire on a camp housing non-local labourers in Ganderbal, resulting in the immediate deaths of two labourers. Tragically, four others and the doctor succumbed to their injuries later. This attack came just days after Jammu and Kashmir welcomed a new government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. A day prior to the Ganderbal attack, another labourer was killed in Shopian district in South Kashmir.
Mufti has consistently condemned the violence in the region. Following the earlier attack in Shopian, she stated on X, “Unequivocally condemn this senseless act of violence against two labourers in Ganderbal. Deepest condolences to their families.”
The PDP leader’s call for intervention highlights the sensitive nature of the situation, raising concerns about potential community tensions and the need for a measured approach in responding to recent terror attacks.