Seeks protection for Kashmiris across country
SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Friday reiterated its strongest condemnation of the barbaric massacre on innocent tourists in Pahalgam, terming it a direct assault on Kashmir’s centuries-old ethos of hospitality, harmony, and peace.
In a high-level interaction with the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah involving business stakeholders and civil society representatives, FCIK emphasized that violence against civilians has no place in a civilized society and cannot be justified under any faith or ideology.
According to a statement by FCIK, the interactive meeting was called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and participated by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, ACS Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Commissioner/Secretary I&C Vikramjit Singh, Tourism Yasha Mudgal, Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob, Director I&C Khalid Majeed and other senior officers of administration and police.
To reaffirm the region’s commitment to peace and communal harmony, FCIK proposed the launch of a “Not In Our Name” campaign. This initiative would mobilize Kashmiri citizens to publicly denounce acts of terror and stand united against hate and violence.
Expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, former President FCIK Shakeel Qalander assured that the entire industrial fraternity mourns alongside them. The attack is not only a human tragedy but also an affront to the shared values of Kashmir and its people.
Highlighting growing concerns over tourist safety, he called upon the Chief Minister to enhance protective measures across all tourist hot spots in J&K. He recommended the deployment of permanent and mobile Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in key areas such as Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg. In addition, it advocated for the installation of high-grade surveillance systems including CCTV at major transit points and tourist sites to ensure real-time monitoring.
FCIK underlined the
importance of coordinated action among local administration, police, paramilitary, and intelligence agencies to effectively preempt and neutralize potential threats.
To restore confidence among visitors, FCIK proposed the strengthening of the Tourist Protection Force under J&K Police and the launch of a real-time, opt-in tourist tracking app, along with a 24×7 tourist helpline for emergency assistance.
In a show of resilience and unity, FCIK suggested launching a “Safe Kashmir for Tourists” campaign led by civil society, youth organizations, and local influencers. The campaign would promote Kashmir’s enduring tradition of hospitality and highlight stories of harmony between locals and tourists.
As a gesture of compassion, FCIK also proposed that tourism stakeholders consider offering free or subsidized travel packages to the families of the victims, inviting them to return to Kashmir as honored guests.
Expressing deep concern over incidents of harassment and assaults on Kashmiri students, traders, and professionals across several states, FCIK warned that such targeted acts threaten not only individual safety but also national unity.
FCIK has urged national leaders, media, and civil society to distinguish between the acts of a few extremists and the sentiments of Kashmir’s peace-loving majority. It strongly condemned sensationalist media narratives that fuel division for TRPs and called for responsible, unifying public discourse that promotes harmony and mutual respect.
FCIK urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs and ensure the protection and dignity of Kashmiris living outside the Union Territory.
To facilitate swift support, FCIK recommended setting up a dedicated grievance redressal cell in J&K to address complaints from Kashmiris facing threats or discrimination in other parts of the country, in coordination with state authorities.
The organization also called for a nationwide effort to counter hate narratives and prevent the vilification of communities, emphasizing the shared responsibility of leaders, media, and civil society in preserving social cohesion.
Besides Shakeel Qalander, other FCIK members who participated in the interactive session included M.D Qureshi, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Afaq Qadiri and Raja Nayeem Khan.