Mamata meets Omar Abdullah, calls for Centre’s assurance on tourist safety in Kashmir

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (July 10, 2025) met her Jammu and Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah and urged the Union government to ensure the safety and security of tourists visiting the Union Territory.

“The Centre must take steps to ensure safety and security so that more and more tourists visit Kashmir. It must also strengthen border security in the region,” Ms. Banerjee told mediapersons at the State Secretariat, with Mr. Abdullah beside her.

Underscoring that responsibility for security in Jammu and Kashmir lies with the Centre, the Trinamool Congress chairperson said, “If required, they should speak to Omar Abdullah and make proper arrangements about security of tourists.”

Describing herself as a “great admirer” of Kashmir, Ms. Banerjee said, “Kashmir is rich with spices, dry fruits, and other unique offerings… Our tourism department will work together with them. There should be an MoU to facilitate visits in both directions and promote cultural exchange. The people of Kashmir are gifted in music, dance and art.”

She invited the people of Jammu and Kashmir to visit West Bengal and expressed hope that more people from the State would travel to Kashmir.

Mr. Abdullah recalled Ms. Banerjee’s support in 2019, during the abrogation of Article 370, and earlier this year following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. “After the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Didi had sent a team to Poonch and Rajouri to meet the affected families and provide necessary help. I am thankful to her,” he said.

Mr. Abdullah also extended an invitation to Ms. Banerjee to visit Jammu and Kashmir. She said she would travel after the Durga Puja holidays.

‘We don’t want to be a Union Territory’

Later in the day, while speaking at an event in Kolkata, Mr. Abdullah reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not wish to remain a Union Territory.

“We don’t want to be a Union Territory, we are not in control of the security because we are a U.T. It was a betrayal for us. We have been asking them to give the security of the State to us so that we can do better,” he said.

He also commented on the Opposition Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance bloc, saying, “I have said this before, we don’t meet often. I spoke about it today with Mamata Banerjee.”