KD NEWS SERVICE
VESSU-ANANTNAG April 22: In a stirring display of solidarity and sorrow, hundreds of residents from the Kashmiri Pandit Colony in Vessu, Anantnag, gathered at Shardha Chowk on Tuesday evening to denounce the barbaric terrorist attack on innocent tourists in Pahalgam. The peaceful candlelight protest, organized by the Vessu Welfare Committee, was marked by emotional speeches, chants for peace, and a unified call for justice.
Carrying candles and placards that read “Stop Killing Innocents”, “Terror Has No Religion”, and “Protect Tourists, Preserve Peace”, the residents — including men, women, and children — mourned the victims and raised their voice against the culture of violence that continues to haunt the Valley.
The demonstration came in the wake of a brutal attack in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, where unidentified terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists, leading to multiple casualties and injuries. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Jammu and Kashmir, with political leaders, civil society groups, and now Kashmiri Pandits voicing their condemnation.
“This is not just an attack on tourists, but on the soul of Kashmir itself,” said one of the protestors, echoing the sentiments of many. “We have suffered selective killings in the past — today, the same hate is being inflicted on outsiders who come here in peace. This cycle must end.”
Residents of the Vessu Colony expressed deep concern over the growing trend of targeting civilians, especially minorities and non-locals. They described the attack as a “direct assault on humanity and peace” and called for urgent government intervention to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
In a collective appeal to the administration, the protesters demanded heightened security arrangements for both tourists and vulnerable communities in the Valley. “We urge the Lieutenant Governor and the central government to take immediate and effective steps to secure every corner of Kashmir,” said Sunny Raina, President of the Vessu Welfare Committee. “This is about protecting lives and restoring faith in the system.”
The protest concluded with a solemn prayer for the departed souls and a renewed pledge to uphold communal harmony in the region. The Vessu Welfare Committee thanked the participants for standing united against terror and reiterated its commitment to building a peaceful future.
As Kashmir reels from yet another tragedy, the candlelight protest in Vessu served as a poignant reminder of the silent majority’s yearning for peace — and their refusal to let violence define the Valley’s narrative.
