Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 8: National Conference today described the lifting of advisory on tourists to visit Kashmir as a half-hearted initiative towards restoration of normalcy since the Valley is continuing to reel under the communication blockade and breakdown of economic activity.
“How can tourists venture out to the Valley where they will remain cut off from their families and with the rest of the world in absence of mobile phone and internet, the basic modes of modern day communication”, the NC spokesman said in a statement, adding that deprivation of telecommunication facilities has caused enormous difficulties to the Valleyites, who feel like having been pushed to the stone age era.
The party spokesman said closure of business establishments and breakdown of economic activity in Kashmir will come in the way of restoration of normalcy, as the people are feeling insecure. The sense of insecurity has hugely jeopradised the academics from primary to higher education level, he added.
“The administration should have taken earnest measures in instilling sense of confidence and security among the people, which could have encouraged parents to send their wards to educational institutions and those connected with trade and commerce resume the economic activities. Apart from providing some sort of respite to the locals, such initiatives would go a long way in restoration of tourism, the mainstay of people directly and indirectly,” explained the spokesman.
The NC spokesman also lashed out at the PDP for its uncalled for and mischievous observations about the meeting of Jammu delegation with Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, saying they cannot hoodwink public opinion. “Apart from caring about the welfare of the Valley people as a whole and the detained leadership in general, the Jammu based National Conference leaders will remain with the people of Kashmir solidly and firmly. The Jammu leadership has firmly expressed solidarity with the high command at this crucial juncture of history and will work to promote the party’s political philosophy of strengthening brotherhood, amity and inclusiveness,” he added.
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