Apni Party slams administration over neglecting Yousmarg

Srinagar, Apr 15: Apni Party has strongly criticised the administration for its negligence toward the tourist destination of Yousmarg. The leaders, headed by party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, visited the place on Wednesday, where local traders—mostly linked to the tourism sector—met them and apprised them of a range of issues hampering tourism at this beautiful destination. A delegation Char-i-Sharief also met Apni Party leaders and apprised them the pressing public issues and grievances that they are facing.

A visiting delegation of local shopkeepers, hoteliers, restaurant owners, pony walas, and others in Yousmarg met Apni Party leaders and informed them that official apathy has turned this place into a no-go area for tourists. As a result, more than 700 families dependent on tourism-related businesses are suffering.

“Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, Yousmarg, like several other tourist destinations, was closed. Even after it was reopened, restrictions have remained in place. These restrictions are so stringent that the administration forces traders to shut their businesses as early as 3 PM in the late afternoon. Moreover, there are no telecommunication towers in the area, and as a result, mobile phones do not work. Due to this situation, tourists are unable to make online payments, or use ATMs here,” the delegation informed Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and his accompanying party colleagues. 

“Please take a look at the deplorable state of the road leading to this popular tourist destination—it clearly reflects sheer neglect. In addition, several other issues are hampering trade and tourism activities in the area. For instance, pony walas are not allowed to take visitors to nearby areas, which has effectively stripped them of their livelihood and left many without a source of income. Despite repeatedly reaching out to the concerned authorities and making sincere efforts to draw attention to these pressing issues, our appeals have gone unheard,” the delegation members said. 

They urged Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and other prominent party leaders to use their influence to ensure that this tourist destination is no longer neglected by officials, and that all necessary facilities are provided to rejuvenate tourism activities in the area.
 
Apni Party leaders gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that they would raise these issues with the government at the highest level to ensure that Yousmarg receives all the facilities that this beautiful tourist destination deserves. They also assured the delegation members that all the issues raised would be highlighted in front of the concerned authorities.

Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the prominent party leaders who were present on this occasion included party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Chairman  of the party’s Parliamentary Affairs Committee (PAC) Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Additional General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Shah, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Spokesperson & State Secretary Muntazir Mohiudin, State Youth President & Spokesperson Yawar Dilawar Mir, State Secretary Organisation & Spokesperson Dr Harbaksh Singh, District President Budgam Advocate Owais Ashraf Shah, Provincial Secretary Kashmir Fahad Andrabi, Provincial Joint Secretary Kashmir Sajad Ahmad Dar, Senior Vice President Budgam Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, Senior Leader Mir Imaad, and others.