Pahalgam attack should not derail governance and development in J&K: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: The Pahalgam terror attack could not be allowed to derail governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir, chief minister Omar Abdullah said Monday, adding that even the central govt shared the same view.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the civil secretariat in Srinagar, which marked the formal resumption of administrative work in the summer capital after a six-month stint in Jammu, the CM touched on the broader national support for J&K’s development, and shared details of his recent meeting with PM Narendra Modi .

“Today, I resumed office at the civil secretariat in Srinagar after six months. The focus now is clear action, accountability, and reaching every individual through good governance and development. Let’s make these six months count,” Omar said.

He said the Union govt, at the highest level, wanted to see that in no way should Pahalgam attack derail the process of governance and development in J&K. “That is our responsibility which we will have to take care of,” he said.

Omar acknowledged the adverse impact of the Pahalgam massacre on the tourism sector, while calling for a collective effort to ensure a smooth Amarnath Yatra without any inconvenience to the pilgrims.

About the train to Kashmir (Karta-Srinagar-Baramulla), he expressed the hope that the inauguration, originally scheduled for April 19 but postponed due to inclement weather, would happen soon. “The sooner we inaugurate the (Chenab railway) bridge and the train, the sooner the rumours will end and the rail will benefit us,” he said.

Reaffirming his commitment to governance, the CM said, “The people have put us here to work together to deliver on their expectations. I am here only because I want to deliver something for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. That is my only aim, and that is the aim of my colleagues.”