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| Shutdowns, street protests return to haunt Kashmir | | State Govt obsessed with tourism, ignores ground situation | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Apr 5: The emerging situation in Kashmir is taking a dangerous turn as shutdowns and street protests have returned with the onset of the tourism season in the Valley.
As the schools and colleges reopened in Kashmir on Thursday after 4-day long shutdown protests ad clashes erupted across the Valley within and outside the educational institutions. These spilled over to other areas disrupting the normal life.
A travel agent while talking to Early Times said, "It was after four days that tourists present in the Valley wanted to go out for sightseeing but the stone-pelting and protests on the streets of Srinagar and other parts made them abandon their programmes."
He said, "If government fails to bring the situation under control it can lead to Kashmir witnessing one more season without tourists. Situation is far from normal as the elements inimical to peace are working overtime to trigger chaos and confusion."
A hotelier said, "The guests in my hotel are cursing themselves for visiting Kashmir. They had come here to enjoy but the uncertain situation has disappointed them. Many of them have not witnessed such scenes in their lives."
He said, "Government should have not reopened the educational institutions today. It should have waited for a few days to pass off peacefully. Tourists who had left for Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in the morning have been calling us to know whether they can return or not. I don't know what to say as I can't even assure them."
He said that when these tourists would return they would take bitter memories along with them. "I don't think that they would advise anyone to visit Kashmir at least for a holiday. We have kept our fingers crossed," the hotelier added.
A travel agent said, "During the past few days many people who had come to Kashmir for a holiday have returned. Many of them were of the opinion that closed markets and uncertainty all over has made them change their plans."
A politician said, "State government wants tourists to come to Kashmir but has no idea about how to keep them busy. Another factor is their security. If something happens to a tourist who would be responsible. It's not possible for the government to provide security to everyone."
He said, "State government should focus on improving the situation rather than remaining obsessed with the number of tourists arriving in the Valley." |
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