Pahalgam Terror Attack: 48 Tourist Destinations in Jammu and Kashmir being Re-opened in Phases
NEW DELHI, June 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday announced a phased reopening of 48 tourist destinations closed in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 tourists killed on April 22.
“Following a detailed security assessment, we are now in a position to welcome visitors back, gradually and responsibly. The decision to restrict access to several tourist locations was purely precautionary,” Mr Sinha said.
In the first phase, south Kashmir’s key destinations, including Betab Valley, Verinag, Kokernag, and Achabal gardens, will be reopened. Besides, parks around the Pahalgam market area will also be accessible to visitors.
Badamwari Garden, Duck Park, and Taqdeer Park near Hazratbal in J&K’s summer capital Srinagar will also reopen. Srinagar, in spite of not being closer to the Line of Control (LoC), saw 16 destinations closed, including Jama Masjid, Badamwari, Rajouri Kadal, Aali Kadal, Faqir Gujri, Astanmarg, upper areas of Dachigam, etc. Forty-eight destinations out of 87 in the Kashmir Valley were closed for tourists after the Pahalgam attack.
Mr Sinha, who visited Pahalgam on Saturday also appealed to citizens “to play their part in ensuring the pilgrimage proceeds peacefully.” He added, “This is your (Amarnath) yatra. It belongs to the people of Kashmir. Its success will uplift our economy and tourism sector.”
He also handed over a government job letter to the widow of Adil Ahmad, the pony rider who lost his life in the terror attack while trying to save some tourists. Mr Sinha described him as a “martyr” and said the government job to his widow was more than an act of compensation. “It reflects our commitment to stand by the family. I have personally assured them of continued support and concrete measures so they may live a life of dignity. We will not let the sacrifices of the brave be forgotten,” L-G Sinha said.
The ruling National Conference, however, said the job was approved by the elected government. “I thank LG Sahab for handing over the job order that was already prepared by the Fisheries Dept, a department under the elected government led by Hon Min Javed Dar. This reflects the maturity and responsibility shown by the elected government, we did not allow egos to come in the way, but stood by our commitment to Adil’s family in their moment of grief,” NC leader and MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq said.
“Just as earlier, the elected government had prepared similar job orders for NoKs in Poonch, which were later distributed by the Home Minister after the CM had personally visited and personally committed these jobs to the families immediately after the shelling. In moments of pain, politics must make way for compassion, and governance must honour its word,” Mr Sadiq said.
Meanwhile, in an indirect reference to recent Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks about bureaucracy not supporting him fully, Mr Sinha said, “You said, ‘L-G Sahab, give us something.’ The only thing I can give you is the police personnel. As for roads, water, power, and agriculture — these are with the government. I will have no objection if the government fulfils your demands,” Mr Sinha said. He was addressing local farmers in south Kashmir who highlighted the issue of being excluded from the horticultural crop insurance schemes.
(Manas Dasgupta)
