Jehangir Rashid Early Times Report Srinagar, May 23: While the entire state was mourning the death of three policemen killed in twin militant attacks here today, the Department of Tourism showed no respect to the cops as they organized a function at the same time. The department organized the function almost at the same time while the wreath laying ceremony of the three policemen was being held at the Police Control Room. Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, her deputy Dr. Nirmal Singh along with other ministers, senior police and civil officials were present during the wreath laying ceremony. The supreme sacrifice made by the cops made no difference to the Department of Tourism and they went ahead with their programme of organizing the Kashmir Fort Festival at Hari Parbat fort. Although, the department could have deferred the programme for a day or two, they didn't do so and ensured that the programme is held today only. The department higher-ups had sent a vehicle to the press enclave to ferry the journalists to the venue of the function. However, the vehicle returned without ferrying even a single journalist since the media fraternity was busy with the wreath laying ceremony. Interestingly, the Hari Parbat fort is located two kilometers from Zadibal area where the first militant attack took place. Two policemen were killed in the first attack while as yet another cop was killed at Tengpora-Batmaloo. Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Parks, Priya Sethi was the chief guest at the Kashmir Fort festival. She also visited the Botanical Garden here. While attending Kashmir Fort Festival 2016 at historic Hari Parbat fort in Old City, the Minister said that Heritage Tourism has great scope in Jammu and Kashmir. "This Hari Parbhat is a symbol of unity, brotherhood and harmony, where a temple, mosque and Gurdawara co-exist," the Minister said. Priya said that government will soon formulate a Cultural Policy which will be introduced in schools and colleges for making the future generations aware of the state's cultural treasure. She said that in order to promote heritage tourism in the state, the government and civil society will be working together. At the same time eyebrows have been raised over the absence of students of government schools in the painting competition organized by Department of Floriculture as part of the two day Flower Festival. Students of private schools took part in the painting competition with none among the government schools taking part. |