Tourism freeze in Kashmir
To prevent another provocative strike on tourists by the Pakistan-based terrorist groups, the Jammu and Kashmir government has now decided to shut down at least 48 out of 87 local getaways in different parts of the Kashmir valley.
Most of these locations are in and around Pahalgam in the Anantnag district and areas of North Kashmir. The famous tourist places such as Gurez, Aru valley, Betab Valley, Doodhpathri, and Verinag figure in the list, where tourists have been barred from venturing out, till further notice.
At the same time, the tourists visiting the Kashmir valley can enjoy the beauty of paradise in Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Ganderbal.
The decision was taken in the wake of a fresh assessment made by the intelligence agencies after they intercepted encrypted communication.
Inside reports suggested Pakistan-based handlers behind the targeted killing of tourists in the valley have activated their sleeper cells to launch similar strikes in the valley.
In the aftermath of the barbaric killing of 26 tourists in Baisaran valley on April 22, the large rush of tourists dried up amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan on the borders.
The tourist arrivals at the Srinagar airport also reported a sharp decline of over 50 percent since April 22.
The local hoteliers and transporters are a worried lot as they are staring at a bleak future.
The tour managers in the valley have received several requests to cancel the scheduled visits in the absence of any advisory to tourists suggesting whether it is safe to travel to Jammu and Kashmir under the prevailing circumstances.
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have issued a similar advisory, asking their citizens not to travel within 10 km of India and Pakistan’s border areas due to rising tensions between the two neighbours.
These countries have advised their citizens against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway) except for travel by air to and from the city of Jammu, travel within the city of Jammu, travel within the Union Territory of Ladakh.”
On Sunday, famous actor Atul Kulkarni landed in Jammu and Kashmir with an appeal to fellow citizens to visit the Himalayan region in huge numbers.
“The terror attack was intended to tell tourists not to come to Kashmir. If we cancel our plans to travel to Kashmir, we are in a way allowing the intentions of the terrorists to succeed,” the actor said.
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Restricting tourism is playing in the hands of the terrorists. Apart from the brave servicemen, there will be more than enough non-servicemen willing to take the risk for the sake of the nation so the terrorists do not achieve their aim, at the same time other than the terror sympathizers and OGWs , the rest of the locals will continue to get their livelihood and defat the money payers for stone pelting. Government should advertise for seeking volunteers with the full knowledge of risks for visiting Kashmir, may be at subsidized rate even with basic training for self defense.
Is it not the obligation of a common citizen to take a risk for the country? There will be enough numbers in the population of 140 Cr. who have fulfilled there responsibilities to family and will be willing to discharge those now for the country, knowing the risks. Just like the voluntary surrender of gas subsidy, the one rupee per day per person for the services one call from the PM will see an unprecedented response.
Closing 48 out of 87 tourist spots is a surrender and victory to terrorists. If the decision is by the state government we know where the silent sympathy and supports lies. The father still and openly advocates talks because he has nothing to lose, while the son is keeping quiet for the fear of losing the chair.
Kashmiris to suffer for loss of tourist income & they should die out of poverty for the sin of not raising against terrorists. they have never shed any eye drop or gave blood drop fighting invaders or terrorist in past 1,000+ years & counting.
Kashmiris to suffer for loss of tourist income & they should die out of poverty for the sin of not raising against terrorists.