Shimla, April 25: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday led a solemn candlelight march in Shimla to protest against the brutal terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that claimed 28 lives on April 22.
The march, organised by the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, began from Sher-e-Punjab and culminated at the historic Ridge Maidan.
A large number of Congress leaders, party workers, and citizens joined the march to pay tributes to the victims and express solidarity with the grieving families.
Prominent among those who participated were Congress in-charge for Himachal and Rajya Sabha MP Rajni Patil, HPCC President Pratibha Singh, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Health Minister Col (Dr) Dhani Ram Shandil, Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh. Mayor Surinder Chauhan, HPTDC Chairman R.S. Bali, State Planning Board Vice Chairman Bhawani Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, several MLAs, and senior party leaders were also present.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sukhu condemned the cowardly attack in Pahalgam and said such acts will not be tolerated.
“The Congress Party stands united with the Union Government in the fight against terrorism.
We vow to eliminate the external forces that threaten the nation’s peace and security,” he declared.
He recalled the sacrifices of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who laid down their lives for the unity and integrity of India.
“This heinous attack on innocent tourists is an assault on India’s sovereignty. The Congress Party is standing shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families and the nation,” he added.
CM Sukhu also stated that both the All India Congress Committee and the Himachal Government are committed to supporting the Centre in giving a strong response to any forces trying to destabilise the country.
