The tourism sector was blooming in Kashmir from past several years. Even those, who had nothing to do with this sector were investing in it. People in Srinagar had, under several schemes transformed their homes into Paying Guest Houses by constructing some additional wash rooms and spaces. In rural Kashmir, people had taken huge loans to establish guest houses, buy vehicles for transportation of tourists and buy All Terrian Vehicles (ATVS). First time, the people of Kashmir were upbeat smelling a success story. Young and educated people, who earlier had no connection with tourism sector, were trying to explore and were investing in the sector. Come April 22 and all hopes dashed, all dreams dead. Enemy was waiting in the wings. He knew what can broke the will of the people and that was breaking their economy. He did it. He struck, killed 25 tourists and a local in Baisaran, Pahalgam, with an intention to convey to the rest of the country that Kashmir was not safe for them. And everything fall apart.
It was a well planned action by the enemy. Post abrogation of Article 370, Government of India was rightly claiming the improvement in the situation with unprecedented tourist arrival. The enemy targeted that narrative. So how to tackle it? Yes, lives were lost in Pahalgam massacre and lives were lost post Pahalgam massacre in areas along Line of Control. The government need to have a plan to deal with these kinds of issues. We are living in a hostile atmosphere where the neighbouring country Pakistan is trying to do everything to destabilize peace here. Are we going to give it the luxury of doing so by indulging in some terror attacks or are we going to stay tall and do what the enemy wants to undo.
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Let government of India make a resolve to defeat enemies designs. Let a full-fledged campaign be launched nation-wide to invite visitors to Kashmir. Let a message be sent out to the rogue elements that no matter what you do, this mighty nation is not going to succumb. Of course, after taking a serious review of security scenario and ensuring fool proof security at designated tourist resorts, let government agencies come forward and tell the people of India, “You will be safe at these designated areas, come and visit and defeat what Pakistan wanted to achieve by indulging in Baisaran massacre.”
