Kashmir safest place for tourists: CM

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called upon tourists of the country to visit Kashmir and termed it as the “safest place” in the world, especially for women. Mehbooba’s appeal comes days after separatists, spearheading the current agitation, appealed to the tourists to visit Kashmir.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti inaugurates a water sports festival at the Dal Lake in Srinagar on Saturday. Tribune photo: Amin War

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 10

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called upon tourists of the country to visit Kashmir and termed it as the “safest place” in the world, especially for women.

Mehbooba’s appeal comes days after separatists, spearheading the current agitation, appealed to the tourists to visit Kashmir.

“Kashmir is the safest place not only in the country but also in the whole world for tourists, especially for women. We get to know what happens to women in broad daylight in other places. Compared to that, women can come here either by themselves or in groups. We will take good care of them and would not let them face any hardship,” Mehbooba told reporters in Srinagar after inaugurating a water sports festival in Srinagar.

The Chief Minister said the tourists could move around without any fear even during the night and nothing untoward would happen to them.

“The place is picturesque and then snowfall is in the offing and I would like to invite all people of the country to visit Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality. Kashmir is calling you all. We will offer exciting packages. We will organise a snow festival at Gulmarg in January, so I request the people of the country to visit Kashmir along with their children,” she said.

The over five-month-long unrest hit the tourist industry the worst. When the unrest erupted in July following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani, the tourism season was about to peak.

According to preliminary estimates, the tourism sector has suffered a loss of over Rs 3,000 crore due to the unrest.

The separatists earlier this week appealed to the tourists and pilgrims to visit the Kashmir valley, terming it a “paradise on earth”, and promising to safeguard their rights.

Earlier, while speaking during the function, Mehbooba said the J&K Government was taking steps for providing adventure and recreational facilities to children and youth. She also announced setting up of a water sports training school in Srinagar.