In a continued push to restore confidence and revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired an administrative meeting in the ski resort of Gulmarg on Wednesday, a day after leading a symbolic cabinet session in Pahalgam.
CM Abdullah, accompanied by his cabinet ministers and senior officials, convened the meeting outside the state’s traditional power corridors to signal normalcy and resilience in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians 25 of them tourists.
Top Officials Join Effort To Reassure Public
Wednesday’s meeting in Gulmarg saw the participation of senior civil and police officials, including the Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Range), the Deputy Inspector General (North Kashmir), and the Senior Superintendent of Police (Baramulla).
The gathering followed a formal notification issued by the General Administration Department.
According to government sources, these meetings are part of a broader strategy to instil public confidence, show administrative presence across the Union Territory, and send a clear message that the state remains committed to law, order and development.
Symbolism And Substance In Pahalgam
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister chaired a cabinet meeting in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the site of the brutal terror attack carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba militants.
Officials said the decision to hold the session outside the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar was a deliberate move to confront fear and restore trust among locals and tourists.
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Following the meeting, CM Abdullah took to the streets of Pahalgam on a bicycle, accompanied by his two sons, in a bid to boost the morale of local business owners and hoteliers who have faced a dramatic collapse in tourism since the attack.
He also shared striking images of the Lidder River on social media, showcasing Pahalgam’s enduring natural beauty despite the recent violence.
Memorial To Honour Victims Of Terror
In a key announcement, the Chief Minister confirmed plans to establish a memorial in the Baisaran meadows, the site of the April massacre, to honour the victims.
“This is not just about paying tribute,” an official said. “It is about reclaiming our spaces and reminding the world that terrorism cannot erase our identity or deter our spirit.”
Public Response And Unified Outrage
The attack, which killed 26 innocent civilians, including one local, has left the town of Pahalgam deserted, stripping it of its once-thriving tourist charm.
In the aftermath, spontaneous protests erupted across Jammu and Kashmir, with residents staging shutdowns to denounce the violence and express solidarity with the victims.
Officials believe that these demonstrations, coupled with the government’s outreach efforts, are critical to countering the narrative of fear and reclaiming the Union Territory’s image as a safe and welcoming destination.
Tourism Revival Efforts Underway
In a further attempt to revive the tourism sector, the Jammu and Kashmir government is currently hosting a delegation of tour and travel operators from across India.
The goal is to reintroduce the region as a viable destination and assure stakeholders that safety measures are being actively reinforced.
“These meetings in Pahalgam and Gulmarg are more than symbolic,” said an official close to the Chief Minister. “They reflect a government that is visibly present, actively engaged, and deeply committed to restoring normalcy in the Valley.”
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