Soon after the terror attack in Pahalgam, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had posted on social media that her administration is making arrangements at the Delhi Airport to “help the family members of the victims and their onward journey to Kolkata. The flight is likely to arrive in Kolkata at 8.30 pm (Wednesday). Our Resident Commissioner’s office in Delhi is in touch with the family members. I am personally overseeing and our senior officers are working hands on”.
Her post added, “My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the devastating terrorist attack on the tourists in Jammu and Kashmir today… My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this inhuman act of terror.”
Later, she also posted, “Our victims are: Bitan Adhikari (of Baishnabghata, Kolkata), Samir Guha (Sakher Bazar, Kolkata), and Manish Ranjan (Jhalda, Purulia). No word is enough as condolence for their families, even while my heart goes out to them. We stand by the families.”
Other prominent TMC leaders also reacted to the news of the attack, in which at least 25 tourists and a Valley resident were shot dead on Tuesday at a meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Kolkata Mayor and State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim on Wednesday said, “If the Central government can’t give us security, who can?”
When Hakim went to meet the family members of a victim, Sameer Guha, at Behala, he said, “When the Central government abolished Article 370 in Kashmir, we thought Kashmir would become peaceful. People started going to Kashmir. But we are common people. We can’t fight with an AK-47.”
TMC youth leader Debangshu Bhattacharya criticised the BJP-led Central government. “Today’s terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir is not only unfortunate and horrifying but it must serve as a clarion call for the GoI,” he posted on X.
All India general secretary of TMC, Abhishek Banerjee, also took to X. He posted, “This is the same government that claimed demonetisation would end black money and terror funding and that the abrogation of Article 370 would bring lasting peace to the region. Yet, today’s tragic incident stands as a stark reminder of the failure of these promises, policies and propaganda.”
He further added, “My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I pray that God grants them strength and comfort in this time of immense grief. Wishing a speedy and complete recovery to all who are injured.”
Meanwhile, BJP West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar posted, “A short while ago, Hon’ble Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah ji met with the families of those martyred in the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam.”
He added, “I sincerely thank him from the bottom of my heart for standing beside them personally during this painful time and offering them strength and support. This sends a strong message to the nation — the blood of innocent citizens will not go in vain. The perpetrators will face the harshest punishment. The nation stands united today. Our resolve against terrorism is unshakable. The sacrifice of our martyrs will only strengthen our determination.”