Gulmarg: A complete shutdown was observed on Wednesday across several tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Babareshi, Chandilora, Druru, Rehram, Kunzar, and Dhobiwan, in a strong show of solidarity and protest against the recent killing of unarmed tourists and civilians in Pahalgam.
Public transport was notably absent, and all tourism-related activities came to a halt as locals expressed their outrage over the violence.
The strike was led by various stakeholders associated with the tourism sector—laborers, tourist guides, members of the Ski Union, Snowmobile Union, ATV Association Gulmarg-Tangmarg, and the Sumo Union Tangmarg. These groups jointly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and demanded swift justice and arrest of the perpetrators.
In the early hours of the morning, trade unions and locals organized a peaceful procession, calling for the immediate identification and punishment of those involved in the attack, which has sent shockwaves through the tourism-dependent communities of the region.
Later in the evening, after Maghrib prayers, a candlelight march was held in Tangmarg, led by Member of Legislative Assembly Gulmarg, Farooq Ahmed Shah. Hundreds of people participated in the march, holding candles and raising slogans of unity, including “Hindu Muslim Sikh Aisai Bhai Bhai,” to promote communal harmony in the wake of the tragedy.
Addressing the participants, Farooq Ahmed Shah strongly condemned the killings, expressing heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. “This tragic incident has deeply pained all of us. With the recent surge in tourist arrivals, the local community was finally earning a dignified livelihood. Such acts of terror jeopardize not just lives but also the hard-earned peace and stability of the region,” he said.
In a gesture of solidarity, local hotel owners and eateries provided free services to tourists throughout the day, while transporters offered complimentary rides, ensuring that visiting guests were not inconvenienced during the shutdown.