Latest news with #AmarnathYatris
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
"We want to welcome Amarnath Yatris...Kashmiris have extended for hundreds of years": PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti calls to revive tourism in J-K
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 10 (ANI): PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged the government to help owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners struggling to repay bank loans after the Pahalgam terror attack has led to a decline in the number of tourists to the state. Local businesses, including hotel owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners, struggle to repay bank loans due to the lack of tourists. 'The recent standstill in tourism has severely impacted local businesses in Pahalgam, with hotel owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners struggling to repay bank loans. To address this, local leaders are urging the government and Shrine Board to support the Amarnath Yatra, which could help revive tourism in the area,' said People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti. She urged the government to allow local tourists to visit closed parks like Chandanwadi, Ado, Betaab Valley to generate income for local businesses. 'I urge the government to open closed parks like Chandanwadi, Betaab Valley to enable local tourists to visit and generate income for local businesses and provide full support to Amarnath Yatris and ensure their safety during the journey', said the PDP Chief. She highlighted the importance of welcoming Amarnath Yatris with warmth and hospitality, highlighting the region's tradition of extending goodwill to visitors. She stressed the role of local stakeholders in securing the Amarnath Yatra and promoting a sense of responsibility and cooperation. 'Allow horse owners to bring as many horses as possible for the Amarnath Yatra. We want to welcome Amarnath Yatris with the same warmth and hospitality that Kashmiris have extended for hundreds of years. Insha Allah, they will be given full support and ensured a safe journey,' the PDP Chief added to the statement. Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled from July 3 to August 9. The 38-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has been secured with a massive deployment of 581 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies, jammers, and drones. Earlier on June 8, the Indian Army, with support from an NGO, M3M Foundation, organised the Gujjar-Bakerwal Mela at Aishmuqam in South Kashmir's Anantnag district, aimed at supporting the nomadic community ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, AF Hamid, inspected the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps on Thursday to review the progress of ongoing developmental works and preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025. According to an official press release, the DC reviewed critical infrastructure projects executed by various departments, including Jal Shakti, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Roads and Buildings (R&B), and other allied agencies. He also inspected ongoing track clearance operations along the yatra route. Special focus was placed on the readiness of essential facilities such as drinking water, sanitation, power supply, accommodation, and health care services. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said the tourism sector has been badly affected and the administration is now focusing on ensuring a safe and incident-free Amarnath Yatra. (ANI)
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Collective responsibility for ensuring peaceful Amarnath Yatra: Mehbooba
Srinagar, June 10 (UNI) Former Chief Minister and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that it was the collective responsibility of every Kashmiri in ensuring a peaceful and secure Amarnath Yatra beginning from July 3. Mehbooba said this during her visit to the tourist resort of Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pahalgam was struck by a brutal terrorist attack on April 22, leaving 25 tourists and a local dead. During the Amarnath Yatra, Pahalgam serves as the traditional base camp for the yatris '…Amarnath Yatra is about to start. That's why I called all our workers on the route of Amarnath Yatra. I told them that the people of Pahalgam have to take care of Amarnath Yatra so that the Yatra goes well,' Mehbooba told a gathering at the tourist resort. She highlighted the historical role of Pahalgam's residents in fostering communal harmony. 'The people of Pahalgam have kept Hindu-Muslim unity alive in the country. For centuries, the people of Kashmir and Pahalgam have welcomed Amarnath Yatris with open hearts, and this legacy will continue with the same spirit and sincerity,' she said. Mehbooba underscored that the security of Amarnath Yatris is a shared responsibility, noting, no matter how many security forces are deployed, the actual responsibility for a peaceful Amarnath Yatra lies with every inhabitant of Pahalgam. She said once the Amarnath Yatra will be peaceful, people will regain their confidence and tourism will start again. The PDP chief also urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lieutenant Governor to take swift action to reopen popular tourist destinations such as Chandanwari, Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and other parks in Pahalgam. She questioned the delay in their reopening, stating, 'I want to ask Omar sahab, no one stops you from giving jobs to retired people or transferring officers as you wish. If you can exercise your authority freely in these matters, why can't you ensure these parks are open for the public?' 'We, in the opposition, can only raise our voice. But if you, despite being in government, only make statements, what's the difference between you and us?' she asked UNI MJR GNK
