Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday welcomed the reopening of several tourist destinations in the union Territory, saying the decision will provide relief to local residents and revive tourism-dependent livelihoods.
Referring to his recent interaction with Home Minister Amit Shah, the Chief Minister said he had urged him to reopen tourist spots that were closed last year.
The Chief Minister said there was “no point in keeping these places closed,” noting that even during the worst periods of turmoil such destinations had remained accessible. He specifically mentioned Yusmarg and Doodhpathri, stating that prolonged closure had caused significant economic losses for people living in these areas.
“The Home Minister had come to Jammu. I had a conversation with him. I had met him in Delhi before. I requested him to open the closed areas. There is no point in keeping them closed. Even in the worst of times, we have not kept these places closed. On the same day, the Home Minister assured me that directions have been passed that these places should be opened,” Omar told media in Srinagar.
“The order has been issued. I am thankful to the Home Minister. The people who live there have incurred losses due to the closure of tourism. The season is starting. I hope people will take advantage of the beauty of these places.”
A day earlier Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the reopening of several tourist locations across Jammu and Kashmir that had been temporarily shut last year following the terror attack in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam that killed 25 tourists and a local.
The Chief Minister criticized the BJP alleging a disconnect between the party’s statements and its actions. When asked that a BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa accused Kashmiris of encroaching land in Jammu, Omar said that facts contradict the claims made by him.
Referring to a case related to alleged encroachment of government land, he claimed that there was a case against the BJP leader in 2021.
“There is always a difference in what they say and what they do. This has become the specialty of the BJP,” Omar said.
He also targeted BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Ali Khatana, alleging that despite representing Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament, the majority of his development funds were spent outside the union Territory.
“He was sent to Parliament through nomination from Jammu and Kashmir, but more than 90 per cent of his MPLAD funds were spent in Uttar Pradesh. He sits here, has taken a government residence here, and carries the name of Jammu and Kashmir, but the funds meant for development are spent in Uttar Pradesh,” Omar said.
He added that said such actions reinforce his claim that there remains a gap between what BJP leaders say publicly and what they practise.
Chief Minister also urged daily wagers protesting for regularization of their services to avoid street demonstrations, asserting that the government has already committed to addressing their demands through a structured policy process.
Responding to a question on protests by daily wagers, Omar said the issue has been discussed on the floor of the Assembly and assured that a timetable for regularization will be issued within the year.
“It has been stated in the Assembly that under a proper process and timeline, their services will be regularized. If anyone is encouraging them or using them for political gain, they should not make this mistake,” he said.
The Chief Minister appealed to the workers to engage in dialogue rather than resorting to protests, warning that demonstrations under pressure from others would not serve their interests.
