SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra should be allowed to step out of their vehicles and visit local markets so they can contribute to Kashmir’s economy during their stay. Speaking to reporters, Abdullah expressed hope that a large number of devotees would undertake the pilgrimage, have a smooth darshan and return home safely. He said the elected government had made all arrangements within its mandate, while security, law and order, and arrangements related to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board were being looked after by the concerned agencies.
He appealed to pilgrims to pray for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir during their visit. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal asking pilgrims to spend 10 per cent of their travel budget in Kashmir, Abdullah welcomed the suggestion but said visitors must be given an opportunity to do so.
“If pilgrims are expected to spend in Kashmir, they should be allowed to get off their buses and visit markets. If they remain confined to their vehicles, how will they spend their money? Local traders and businesses should also benefit from the Yatra,” he said. The Chief Minister also welcomed the Centre’s decision to defer the proposed Monday-Tuesday closure of Srinagar International Airport, saying the uncertainty had begun affecting the tourism sector. He said several tourist groups had started cancelling their visits after reports of the weekly closure surfaced.
Abdullah said he raised the issue with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Prime Minister Modi. While welcoming the immediate relief, he said the government would now press for alternative flight operations from Awantipora Air Base during the airport’s scheduled closure in October to minimise disruption to tourism and connectivity. On the livestock trade, Abdullah welcomed the resolution of the mandi tax issue, describing it as a long-pending demand of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the tax was unfair because livestock destined for Kashmir was brought from Rajasthan and merely transited through Punjab without being bought or sold there.
“Our livestock was neither coming from Punjab nor being sold there. It was transported from Rajasthan through Punjab, yet mandi tax was imposed. We consistently pursued the matter with the Punjab government, and its resolution is a welcome step,” he said. Responding to questions on his recent remarks regarding Pakistan, the Chief Minister accused sections of the media of selectively creating controversy around his statements while ignoring similar comments made by leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
“When RSS leaders make such statements, nobody highlights them. But when I or Farooq Sahib speaks, microphones are immediately placed before BJP leaders asking for reactions,” he said. Abdullah maintained that his views were consistent with the approach advocated by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who had said that neighbours cannot be changed and that India should strive for better relations with its neighbours.
Asked about the reported book on separatists, Abdullah declined to comment, saying he had neither seen nor read the publication. “I have not seen the book or read it. Therefore, I cannot comment on it,” he said. Meanwhile Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for its prompt and positive response to the concerns raised over the proposed runway closure at Srinagar Airport, stating that the decision to suspend the closure would ensure uninterrupted air connectivity to Jammu & Kashmir and provide much-needed relief to passengers and the tourism sector.
The Chief Minister had personally taken up the matter with the Government of India to safeguard the interests of passengers, the tourism industry, trade, and the people of Jammu & Kashmir, who would have been adversely affected by the proposed closure. Expressing his appreciation, the Chief Minister said, “Grateful to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Ji and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Ji for acceding to our request and suspending the airport closure order. This closure had created a lot of difficulties for regular travellers and forced tour groups and tourists to cancel their planned visits.”
He said the decision to suspend the proposed runway closure would ensure uninterrupted air connectivity to the region, preventing disruption to travel, tourism, and economic activity. The Chief Minister reiterated that maintaining seamless air connectivity is vital for Jammu & Kashmir’s economy, particularly during the peak tourist season, and thanked the Government of India for responding promptly to the concerns raised by Jammu and Kashmir government.
