Srinagar, Jun 10 :
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday said the security of the upcoming annual Amarnath yatra is the responsibility of the people of Kashmir.
Mufti held a meeting with various stakeholders and PDP workers at the Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district ahead of the yatra that begins next month.
“The security of the yatris is your responsibility. Every stakeholder has the responsibility to safeguard the yatra and yatris. More than the police and the security forces, it is you who have to secure them,” Mufti said addressing the meeting.
The PDP president said she had called those workers of her party who live along the route of the yatra and asked them to secure the pilgrimage.
“I told them that the people of Pahalgam have to secure the yatra so that it passes off well and confidence is restored among the tourists, by virtue of which tourism will be restored,” she said.
Mehbooba said the people of Kashmir, and especially Pahalgam, for centuries have welcomed Amarnath Yatris and the legacy will continue with the same spirit and sincerity.
“We want Amarnath yatris to come. The way in which the people of Kashmir have welcomed them for centuries, God willing, they will be welcomed this year as well. They will be served well and they will return safe and sound to their homes,” she added.
Mufti said the situation changed after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and tourism in the valley came to a halt.
Thousands of ponywallas, hoteliers, shopkeepers, and taxi and auto drivers suffered. They have taken loans from banks and they are in distress, she said.
She appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the elected government to reopen parks like Chandanwari, Aru, and Beetab Valley in Pahalgam so that tourists could visit these places and help the hoteliers and ponywallas to earn their livelihood.