Chennai, Apr 23 (UNI) Terming the terror attack against innocent tourists at Pahalgam in J and K as barbaric that shook the conscience, the Tamil Nadu Assembly mourned the death of 26 people killed in the attack and urged the Centre to take all steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.

The members expressed their deep anguish and sorrow over the killings and observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Pointing out to the strong condemnations expressed by Floor Leaders of various parties, Mr Stalin also assured that Tamil Nadu and the people of the state will offer full support in the Union Government's efforts to prevent such incidents in future.

Expressing shock and deep anguish over the tragic death of 26 tourists in the terror attack that shook the entire conscience, Mr Stalin, making a statement in the Assembly said, such barbaric attacks against the innocent people should be strongly condemned.

Recalling his J and K counterpart Omar Abdullah's remarks that it was one of the major attacks unleashed on the people in recent years, Mr Stalin said one of the terrorist outifts has taken responsibility for the attack and called for stringent efforts to deal with terrorist and extremist forces with an iron hand.

Noting that some people from Tamil Nadu were also affected in the attack, the Chief Minister said he had directed the TN Resident Commissioner in Delhi to take all steps to provide all assistance to the affected people along with that State government, besides opening of a helpline for the benefit of the people.

Apart from ensuring timely medical assistance to them, Mr Stalin said all steps were taken to ensure that all the affected people were brought back to the State safely.

Recalling the 2017 terror attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in which eight people were killed at Gulgam and the gunning down of 40 CRPF personnel in 2019 at Pulwama, Mr Stalin said the present incident had shook the conscience of the people.

"There is no place in India, in our soil, in our democracy, for such barbaric terror attacks. Our job does not end by just condemning it. All steps should be taken to put a full stop to such incidents", he said and urged the Centre to take steps in this regard, while promising full support from the State government.

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