Govt Taking Steps to Attract Tourists, Film Industry to J&K: Omar Abdullah Reiterates Demand for Statehood
CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the administration is leaving no stone unturned to restore confidence among visitors and film producers by enhancing security at all tourist destinations in the Valley. Speaking to the media in Chennai on the sidelines of a public function, Abdullah said the government had carried out a comprehensive security audit of major tourist locations after the recent Pahalgam attack, ensuring that most sites have reopened safely. “The government is taking all necessary precautions to encourage more tourists to visit Jammu and Kashmir for holidays, and also inviting film producers and directors to resume shootings in the Valley,” he said.
Abdullah emphasised the need for stronger cultural and tourism linkages between southern states and Jammu and Kashmir. “One of the challenges we have taken upon ourselves is to improve connections between the states south of the Vindhyas and J&K. We hope to see more film shootings from this part of the country and more visitors coming to enjoy holidays in Kashmir,” he said, adding that an increase in footfall from Tamil Nadu and other southern states would not only boost tourism but also strengthen national integration.
Reiterating the long-pending demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah reminded the Centre of its earlier commitments. “We have been promised full statehood by the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and other senior leaders when the matter was argued before the Supreme Court. There is no reason why this promise should not be honoured. It is something that should already have happened. Law and order should be the responsibility of an elected government,” he asserted.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Manipur, Abdullah welcomed the move. “It is a good step. There has been much criticism about the Prime Minister not travelling to that part of the country after the 2023 violence. We hope his visit will help in restoring peace and calm there,” he said.
Addressing questions on the political scenario, Abdullah affirmed there were no rifts between the National Conference and the INDIA bloc. “The NC remains part of the alliance. In J&K, the Congress Party is in alliance with us though they have chosen not to participate in the government for now. They have made it clear they will join once statehood is restored,” he explained.
On Sunday’s much-anticipated Indo-Pak cricket match, Abdullah clarified that India has never had issues with multilateral tournaments. “Our problem has always been with bilateral cricket ties. This match is part of a larger tournament. If this serves as a starting point and helps build a positive trajectory, nothing could be better,” he remarked.
He also criticised the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) against AAP MLA Mehraj Malik. “Whatever complaints may have existed about his conduct, the law invoked against him is a misuse and represents an excessive response against an elected representative. This law has often been misapplied, and its use in this case is unjustified,” Abdullah said.
