Because the Jammu and Kashmir Cupboard met on Tuesday in Pahalgam, the vacationer vacation spot the place terrorists killed 26 civilians final month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought to underline one message: Tourism must be a “conflict-neutral” exercise, and his authorities will make each effort to “insulate” it from the developments within the area.
Alluding to the challenges of getting twin energy centres in Jammu and Kashmir – his authorities and the Lieutenant Governor – Omar stated the “three governments” (these two entities and the Centre) must work collectively. “Tourism is my accountability, however the safety of the vacationers will not be my accountability,” he stated. “Right here, three governments must work collectively: the elected authorities of Jammu and Kashmir, the unelected authorities of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Centre.”
He stated the state is in talks with the Centre to take some “strong steps” to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Tourism, I consider, ought to primarily be a conflict-neutral exercise in Jammu and Kashmir, all over the place,” Omar stated. “For us, it’s an financial exercise, a way of livelihood. Sadly, at instances, it has been linked with the scenario right here. However my authorities’s effort could be to insulate it from the scenario right here. We wish the world to see tourism as an financial exercise fairly than the rest.”
“The final 5, six weeks haven’t been simple for the nation, I do know, however Jammu and Kashmir has been impacted essentially the most,” Omar stated. “Our authorities’s effort is to take steps, although cautiously, for the revival of tourism, and I’m certain that no matter assist we want for the Centre, they may present.”
“Prime Minister sahib has made some ahead motion (on reviving tourism). Some days in the past, he carried out a gathering, which was attended by all senior officers and the tourism minister,” he stated. “Two days, in the past through the NITI Aayog assembly, I had an opportunity to speak to Prime Minister sahib. We mentioned how tourism will be revived in Jammu and Kashmir. I can’t share them right here with all, however some strong steps could be taken.”
He stated that the go to of his cupboard to Pahalgam will not be “administrative”, however meant to provide a way of safety to the individuals.
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“Chaired a Cupboard Assembly at Pahalgam at this time. It was not only a routine administrative train, however a transparent message — we’re not intimidated by cowardly acts of terror. The enemies of peace won’t ever dictate our resolve. Jammu & Kashmir stands agency, robust, and unafraid,” he posted on X.
Omar additionally pitched for the opening of vacationer locations that had been closed to guests after the Pahalgam assault. “After the Baisaran assault, it was determined to have a safety audit of vacationer locations. After the safety audit, they might be slowly opened, and they need to be opened,” Omar stated. “I met individuals right here, and even the vacationers advised me that they’ve come on their very own, however please don’t hold them restricted to this small place. They stated Baisaran will be stored closed, however Betab valley and Aru valley must be opened.”
He stated 48 locations had been shut for guests after the assault, together with Badamwari and Tulip Backyard in Srinagar. “I stated whether it is important to shut down the Tulip Backyard, then we must shut down all the Kashmir,” Omar stated. “There’s a dialog happening (about opening of vacationer locations), about Betab valley, Aru valley, Thajiwas glacier in Sonamarg. We must present some braveness and slowly open these locations.”
He hoped {that a} “protected Amarnath yatra” would assist carry again vacationers to Kashmir, and added that his authorities is exploring how finest they’ll take part in journey and tourism festivals in numerous elements of the nation for the return of vacationers.
