Tourism Hit Since April 22, But Kashmir Must Recover: Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR: National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said the April 22 incident dealt a heavy blow to Kashmir’s tourism industry, but stressed that restoring public confidence and reviving tourism remain vital for the valley’s economy.

Speaking to news wire PTI, Dr Farooq said, “Since the April 22 episode, tourism has suffered a severe setback. Tourism is essential for Kashmir’s economy. The poor and the well-off alike depend on it.

Winters shut us down for six months; all the income is earned in the summer months and spent during winter. That’s why, after April 22, we have tried hard to remove fear among the people of the valley.”

“The incident on April 22 happened, it was not our doing but all of Kashmir stood against it.”

Noting efforts to bring visitors back, he welcomed initiatives aimed at projecting normalcy. “It is good that our friends are promoting events; they even organised the golf tournament so a message goes out at all times that conditions here are improving. Come and enjoy our hospitality,” he said.

On the long-standing demand for restoration of statehood, Farooq expressed cautious optimism. “God willing, we hope this will happen. Delhi will pay attention to it. The Prime Minister will see the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to have their statehood restored,” he told reporters.

When asked about periodic disruptions that follow phases of calm, citing controversies around waqf and the Doda incident, Farooq observed that such incidents have been part of the region’s troubles for decades.

“These things will continue to occur; we have suffered since 1947. This is not a new phenomenon, but we must come out of it. Nothing is static. I hope conditions improve here. Our leaders must understand that to make things better we must also pay heed to the aspirations of our people,” he said. (KNC)