Lifting of advisory on tourists half-hearted initiative: NC
October 08, 2019 20:21
Describing the lifting of an advisory which had dissuaded tourists from visiting Kashmir valley as "half hearted initiative", the National Conference on Tuesday asked how can holiday makers venture into the Valley, reeling under a communication blockade and breakdown of economic activity.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday directed lifting of an over two-month-old advisory which had asked tourists to leave the Valley due to "terror threat".
The governor directed withdrawal of the advisory with effect from October 10.
The advisory was issued on August 2, days before the issuance of the presidential order revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, negating the Article 370 of the Constitution.
How can tourists venture out to the Valley where they will remain cut off from their families and the rest of the world in absence of mobile telephony and internet -- the basic modes of modern day communication?" asked an NC spokesperson in a statement.
He said the deprivation of telecommunication facilities has caused enormous difficulties to the Valley residents, who feel like having been pushed to the "stone age".
"The closure of business establishments and breakdown of economic activity in Kashmir will come in the way of restoration of normalcy, as the people are feeling insecure," he said.
"The sense of insecurity has hugely jeopardised the academics from primary to higher education level," he added.
The spokesperson urged the state administration to "take earnest measures to instil a sense of confidence and security among people", which could have encouraged parents to send their wards to educational institutions and those connected with trade and commerce resume their economic activities.
-- PTI
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