Srinagar: Police in Baramulla have issued an advisory restricting the movement of tourists towards the interior areas of Mulbangil and Batoo along the Hajibal–Babareshi axis.
In a statement, a police spokesperson said that the Qazipora–Ziran–Batoo–Mulbangil–Hajibal route does not form part of the notified and established tourist circuit and traverses remote areas lacking adequate visitor support and emergency response facilities.
In the interest of public safety and to prevent tourists from venturing into areas not designated for tourism activities, police shall be regulating and prohibiting tourist movement towards the aforesaid route with immediate effect and until further notice, the advisory said.
It said all hotel owners, guest house operators, homestay owners, travel agencies, tour operators, taxi operators, tourist guides, pony operators and other stakeholders are advised not to facilitate, advertise, organise or encourage tourist visits towards the restricted area.
“Police teams shall be deployed at appropriate locations to enforce the restrictions. Any individual, guide, operator, agency or establishment found violating these directions, facilitating unauthorized movement, or otherwise acting in a manner that endangers the safety of tourists shall attract strict legal action under the relevant provisions of law,” the advisory said.
Tourists are requested to cooperate with the authorities and confine their visits to approved and established tourist destinations in the Tangmarg–Gulmarg area. The cooperation of all stakeholders is solicited in ensuring the safety, convenience and welfare of visitors, it added.
