Amid the heightened tensions following the Pahalgam incident, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have raised concerns about the growing alienation among the region’s populace.
Omar Abdullah emphasized that the government must work towards winning the trust of the people instead of deepening the sense of mistrust through heavy-handed measures. “We cannot afford to alienate our own citizens further,” he said, warning that punitive actions against innocents would only worsen the situation.
Similarly, Mehbooba Mufti called for a more humane and democratic approach, stressing that collective punishment and indiscriminate crackdowns risk fueling anger and resentment among the youth. She urged both the central and state authorities to differentiate between militants and civilians and act judiciously.
Their warnings come at a critical time when security operations have intensified, and fear among the locals is reportedly growing. Political analysts say such cautionary voices could play a key role in steering the government towards a more balanced and inclusive strategy in Kashmir.
