Srinagar, Nov 05 : The Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club on Tuesday condemned the recent attacks in Kashmir, pledging full support to the government in efforts to restore peace in the Valley.
Addressing a press conference here, Mushtaq Chaya, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, accompanied by other tourism industry leaders, expressed dismay over the escalating violence. “These incidents over the past few weeks have left many people dead and several others wounded. It is condemnable and unacceptable,” he said.
Chaya cited a recent grenade attack near the Tourist Reception Center (TRC) that injured several children as part of a series of distressing incidents affecting locals, tourists and security personnel alike. “We have endured challenges for decades and worked tirelessly for peace; we cannot accept these attacks on our people and our stability,” he said.
Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, another business leader, condemned the violence and urged the government to investigate and address the root causes of these incidents. “We appeal to the government and security agencies for comprehensive action. We are committed to supporting all efforts to restore and protect peace,” he said.
A tourism stakeholder said while there were a few travel cancellations, they were a knee-jerk reaction to recent events. “Tourism in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg remains stable. Kashmir is safe, and we urge travellers not to hesitate. We expect confidence to return soon,” he assured.
The Hoteliers Club also condemned a recent attack on workers from a construction company involved in the Z-Morh tunnel project, which resulted in seven fatalities, including a doctor from Budgam.
The Kashmir region has seen an uptick in violence, with nine incidents reported within 17 days since Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in as Chief Minister. These include the killing of a non-local labourer in Shopian, a terrorist infiltration in Baramulla, an attack in Ganderbal claiming seven lives, and a terror attack on an army vehicle in Gulmarg, which resulted in four deaths, including two soldiers.
Following these incidents, the National Conference (NC) demanded an inquiry into the cause of these attacks since the government’s formation. NC president Farooq Abdullah raised suspicions of an effort to destabilise the government, questioning why the incidents were occurring now. “There should be an independent inquiry,” he said.
Referring to a recent encounter in Khanyar, Abdullah suggested that terrorists should be captured alive for questioning to uncover those responsible for the attacks.
Notably, the National Conference won the recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, securing 42 of the 90 seats. With support from Congress and independents, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as Chief Minister of the union territory
