Kerala High Court judges, MLAs narrowly escape amid Kashmir terror attack
A group of High Court judges and MLAs from Kerala, who were on a trip to Jammu and Kashmir, had a narrow escape as a terror attack in Pahalgam claimed 26 lives, including one from Ernakulam, Kerala. The Kerala Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed that the delegation was not in the immediate vicinity at the time of the attack.Justices Anil K Narendran, PG Ajithkumar and G Girish, who were staying in Srinagar, were confirmed safe, the CMO confirmed. They are expected to return to Kerala on Thursday. Sources close to the judges said they and their families had left Pahalgam for Srinagar, about 90 km away, just a few hours before the attack happened in Baisaran meadow.advertisementWhile the CMO said the judges were on a trip with their families, the MLA were part of a legislative delegation from Kerala. MLAs M Mukesh, KPA Majeed, T Siddique and K Ansalan, who were also in Srinagar, were likewise reported safe.
The CMO also stated that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the safety of Malayalis currently in Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing grief over the loss of a Malayali's life in the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, 'The news that a native of Ernakulam was killed is extremely painful. His family members will be brought home safely. All necessary arrangements will be made under the leadership of the government.'N Ramachandran, a native of Edappally in Kochi, was killed in the attack in Pahalgam. He was on a vacation with his wife, his daughter and her two children.advertisementKalpetta MLA T Siddique, who was in Kashmir, spoke to India Today from the police control room where the bodies of the deceased were being kept. According to him, he and the three other MLAs were part of an Assurance Committee team from Kerala who reached Kashmir on Tuesday at 5.20 pm, for a Kashmir Legislative Assembly Committee meeting.Meanwhile, in response to the incident, the Kerala government launched a help desk through Norka (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) to provide immediate assistance and information. The Norka Roots Chief Executive Officer Ajit Kolassery said: 'The Norka help desk has been launched as per the instructions of the Chief Minister's Office to provide assistance, services and information to Keralites in the wake of the Kashmir terror attack.'Those stranded in Kashmir or seeking information about their loved ones can reach out to the Norka Global Contact Centre through the toll-free number 18004253939 or by giving a missed call to 00918802012345. The help desk has begun collecting details of those in need and is coordinating efforts with local authorities.Further, the Chief Minister has directed Kerala House in New Delhi to provide any necessary support for those passing through or in need of assistance while returning from the region.
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Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
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Time of India
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- Time of India
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The Hindu
20 hours ago
- The Hindu
Work on NH 66 to be completed as per schedule, Centre assures State
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