PAHALGAM: J&K government will build a memorial to 26 men killed in the April 22 terrorist attack in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, CM Omar Abdullah announced Tuesday during an outreach to tourism stakeholders from across India in the resort town, where he also chaired a cabinet meeting earlier in the day to bolster tourist confidence.
“What took place on April 22 was a heinous act of terror that besmirched everything Kashmir stands for. While nothing we do will compensate for that, the J&K govt will build a memorial to our guests who were killed that day,” Omar said.
The cabinet meeting cleared the memorial in Baisaran — about 7km from Pahalgam and reachable either on foot or by horse — and Omar said he instructed PWD to start work.
Tourism — long considered J&K’s economic backbone — has seen strong revival since Article 370’s abrogation in 2019, with record-breaking footfall presenting proof of stability. “We were having a great season — people were complaining about high airfares and traffic snarls in Srinagar. Nazar lag gayi! God’s way of telling us not to gripe when things go our way,” Omar said.
He expressed his long-standing frustration over international travel advisories that discourage visits to the region. “My hair has gone grey fighting against these advisories. Before April 22 happened, I had several discussions with Union govt on how we could mount a global campaign against these biased advisories,” he said.
Omar called tourism a “conflict-neutral activity” and said his govt had consistently worked to shield it from politics. “Tourism is a means for people to earn their livelihood. It must be seen as an economic engine,” he told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Omar said Centre was showing seriousness in reviving tourism, with PM Narendra Modi recently holding a high-level review. “We are hopeful all necessary assistance will be provided,” he added.
The CM said 48 destinations shuttered post-attack had undergone security audits and should reopen. “If you shut down Tulip Garden (in Srinagar), then close all of Kashmir,” he said, citing demand from visitors.
His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also visited Pahalgam, played a round of golf, and urged tourists to return. Blaming Pakistan-backed terrorists for derailing progress, he said, “We were on the right path until those rascals from the other side came and destroyed what we had built. Give us a chance to set this right.”
He called on corporate houses and central ministries to hold meetings in Kashmir and urged public participation in Amarnath Yatra to signal normalcy’s return.
(inputs from Naseer Ganai in Srinagar)
“What took place on April 22 was a heinous act of terror that besmirched everything Kashmir stands for. While nothing we do will compensate for that, the J&K govt will build a memorial to our guests who were killed that day,” Omar said.
The cabinet meeting cleared the memorial in Baisaran — about 7km from Pahalgam and reachable either on foot or by horse — and Omar said he instructed PWD to start work.
Tourism — long considered J&K’s economic backbone — has seen strong revival since Article 370’s abrogation in 2019, with record-breaking footfall presenting proof of stability. “We were having a great season — people were complaining about high airfares and traffic snarls in Srinagar. Nazar lag gayi! God’s way of telling us not to gripe when things go our way,” Omar said.
He expressed his long-standing frustration over international travel advisories that discourage visits to the region. “My hair has gone grey fighting against these advisories. Before April 22 happened, I had several discussions with Union govt on how we could mount a global campaign against these biased advisories,” he said.
Omar called tourism a “conflict-neutral activity” and said his govt had consistently worked to shield it from politics. “Tourism is a means for people to earn their livelihood. It must be seen as an economic engine,” he told reporters after the cabinet meeting.
Omar said Centre was showing seriousness in reviving tourism, with PM Narendra Modi recently holding a high-level review. “We are hopeful all necessary assistance will be provided,” he added.
The CM said 48 destinations shuttered post-attack had undergone security audits and should reopen. “If you shut down Tulip Garden (in Srinagar), then close all of Kashmir,” he said, citing demand from visitors.
His father and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah also visited Pahalgam, played a round of golf, and urged tourists to return. Blaming Pakistan-backed terrorists for derailing progress, he said, “We were on the right path until those rascals from the other side came and destroyed what we had built. Give us a chance to set this right.”
He called on corporate houses and central ministries to hold meetings in Kashmir and urged public participation in Amarnath Yatra to signal normalcy’s return.
(inputs from Naseer Ganai in Srinagar)
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