The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Bihar, unequivocally condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to a Press release by the PUCL, in this horrifying incident, terrorists brutally killed 25 tourists along with a local pony operator who courageously attempted to rescue them.
Such acts of violence, committed in the name of religion, constitute a grave
violation of the fundamental human right to life. PUCL Bihar stands in solidarity with the families of the deceased and the injured during this time of immense grief. “We commend the bravery and selflessness of local residents involved in the tourism sector who, without regard for their own safety, went to great lengths to protect and evacuate the tourists to safe locations.
“The efforts of medical personnel — including doctors, nurses, and support staff — in attending to the injured at local hospitals deserve special recognition for their compassion and humanity,” said the release. “We are heartened by the collective and unified response of the people of Kashmir and various civil society organizations, who have risen above religious divisions to strongly denounce this act of terror and express solidarity with the people across the rest of India,” it said.
We urge the central government, which holds responsibility for security in the region, to take swift and decisive action to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure that they are prosecuted under the fullest extent of the law. We further call upon the government and its security agencies to conduct a thorough review of any security lapses and hold accountable those responsible for such failures.
It is also imperative that during the course of investigation, law enforcement authorities uphold the legal rights and human dignity of the local population, the release said further.
PUCL expressed grave concern over attempts by certain sections of the media and vested interests to exploit this tragic incident to incite hatred against Muslims and Kashmiri students.
PUCL President Anand Kishore demanded the central government and its security agencies must immediately apprehend the terrorists involved and ensure that they are brought to justice through the legal system, receiving the strictest possible punishment.
“The central and state governments must take stern action against individuals or groups attempting to spread communal hatred. Senior officials and ministers must come forward publicly to appeal for peace and social harmony,” stated PUCL General Secretary Sarfaraz.