J&K terror attack: Mehbooba says exodus of labourers will send bad message

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday, 22 October, asked LG Manoj Sinha and chief minister Omar Abdullah to prevent exodus of non-local labourers from the Gagangir construction site where seven persons were killed in a terror attack.

"After the barbaric attack at Sonamarg there are reports that the local admin is pressurising non local labourers to leave the valley immediately. While I understand their obvious sense of panic but asking them to leave in this manner is not a solution," she said in a post on X.

The former chief minister said the leaving of workers will create more difficulties and send a negative message to the country.

"(It) Will only create more difficulties & sends a very bad message to the country. J&K recently witnessed peaceful terror free elections & this knee jerk reaction will only prove otherwise," she said.

The PDP president said the move can also lead to outrage against Kashmiris working or studying in other parts of the country.

"Might also cause outrage against Kashmiris working & studying in other states. Request chief minister @OmarAbdullah & LG @manojsinha_ ji to intervene & at least give them enough time," she added.

A doctor and six labourers were gunned down by terrorists at a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway on Sunday evening.