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Tourism-Destination Rivalry |
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| For the first time during the decade and a half old turmoil there have been deliberate and systematic attacks on tourists visiting Kashmir valley in the last few weeks. In the past, except for a couple of incidents involving some foreign tourists in early nineties, there have not been any attacks specifically directed at tourists. Even in case of Amarnath Yatra which has been targeted a number of times, the attacks have mostly been directed against security forces giving a cover to these Yatris and civilian casualties have been collateral. However, during last couple of years there have been incidents of general nature involving random violence specifically at the start of tourist season in Kashmir. This violence invariably affects the tourist inflow. This year there has been an extraordinary rush of tourists to the valley. Dozens of deluxe buses from almost all parts of the country are entering the valley every day. A dozen flights operated by half a dozen Airlines touch Srinagar every day. It is reported that more than a couple of hundred thousand tourists have already visited the valley and the figure was expected to cross a million tourists this year. On one hand almost every organisation, mainstream, or separatist has condemned and disowned these attacks while on the other hand there are many theories regarding the motive and background of these attacks. One theory alleges that the attacks are engineered from across the border to keep the situation on the boil. Another theory alleges that these are the work of rival political organisations to show down each other from time to time depending upon their status of being in or out of power. Another theory mentioned in passing by the State Tourism Minister in his address to the members of the local Travel Trade after these attacks suspects rival tourism destinations. The easiest way out for all investigating agencies is to blame it on “unknown” or “unidentified” persons. There must be a dozen intelligence agencies and other surveillance organisations operating in the valley. It should not be difficult for them to pin the blame accurately if they care to do so. The tragedy of Kashmir is that after every incident umpteen probes both by investigating agencies as well as judicial get ordered by the Government but it is very rarely that one is informed about the result of these probes and investigations. The last allegation of rival destinations as well as interests merits a thorough probe. It has been alleged that last year’s blast in a restaurant in Pahalgam was also result of mutual rivalry among the local hoteliers. The restaurant subjected to a violent attack had been taking the major chunk of the business which was resented by others in the same trade. It has also been reported that in Katra a large number of Yatris intending to visit the valley had been dissuaded from doing so by members of travel trade from a neighbouring State operating there. These prospective visitors were being told that it is not safe to go to Kashmir and they could arrange their tours to the hill resorts in the neighbouring State. It has been alleged that the hoteliers in that State have invested massive amounts of money in infrastructure which is going a begging this year because of the opening of the valley to tourists. The allegations may seem wild but there is no harm in pursuing this line of investigation along with other possibilities. It is hoped the investigating agencies will not take the short cut of closing the case as “untraced” but pursue it to the logical end. The people at the helm owe it the people to ensure exposure of the culprits regardless of their position or status or connections. |
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