Home

Back to Index

Attacks on tourists in Kashmir valley were by locals: Azad
by Suhail Ahmed

     Jammu: Claiming that Jammu and Kashmir is safe for tourists, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday told Assembly that all 40 persons apprehended on the charges of throwing grenades on tourists were locals and no person from outside the state has been found involved in the incidents. Describing such acts as "most unfortunate", Azad said that he would give a detailed reply to the House either on Monday or when the grants of Home Department would be discussed in the House.

    Replying to volley of questions raised by leader of the opposition A. Rather, Mehboob Baig, Ali Mohammad Sagar and other leaders, Azad said that arrests were made on the information provided by the people since the State Government had announced rewards on credible and effective information. Last year there were series of grenade attacks targeted on tourists in Gulmarg and Srinagar and it was alleged that people from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh had carried out the attack, since the tourism boom in Srinagar was hampering the business in Himachal. Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Tourism Dilawar Mir informed the House that a wrong impression is being circulated about the State being unsafe for tourist. "Jammu and Kashmir still stands safe tourist destination," Mir said, adding, that the State Government was committed to provide foolproof security to the visiting guests. He also informed the House that there has been significant jump in the number of visitors this year with more than 6.05 lakh visitors both domestic and foreigners visiting the State during 2005, including 38 thousand visitors, who visited Ladakh.

    He said that an estimated 70 lakhs people visited Mata Vaishno Devi in 2006. Many new initiatives were announced by the Chief Minister to attract more tourists to the State such as proposed plan to establish modern tourist reception centre along with inter-state bus terminal near Nowgam. The Chief Minister expressed hope that with the coming up of international airport at Srinagar and railway network in Kashmir valley, there would be more inflow of tourists in the State, and therefore a new modern tourist reception centre with all facilities will be built soon.
-Jan 27,  2007

Leading Indian News Papers

Overseas Tourist
Offices

Tourist offices
in India

Helpline