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Tourists feel 'safe' in J&K's Srinagar, Pahalgam deserted after attack
While Dal Lake remains lively with visitors enjoying the picturesque landscape of the valley, nearby Pahalgam appears deserted, with a heavy security presence replacing the usual tourist crowds.
"I don't feel good about leaving today. I've had a great time here. The hoteliers have supported us throughout our stay. We felt no fear, and locals have been welcoming. Tourists must visit -- there is no fear as such," said Vikram Bhai Vyas, a tourist from Gujarat's Vadodara.
Another tourist, Bakul Sharma, who came to Srinagar on April 21, said, "We feel completely safe. There are no issues. There is no fear. People planning a visit should come."
Vaibhavi Vyas, also from Gujarat, said she felt reassured by the visible presence of army personnel in the region.
However, visuals from Pahalgam's Baisaran valley -- the site of the attack -- tell a different story. Once teeming with tourists, the area now shows sparse movement, limited to a few civilians and patrolling security forces.
Meanwhile, security agencies and Jammu and Kashmir authorities have intensified their crackdown on those linked to the attack.
On Saturday, authorities demolished another residential structure at Chotipora village in Shopian district, allegedly linked to a terrorist, believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack.
Another house belonging to a suspect, identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganie, at Mutalhama village in Kulgam district was also demolished. Ganie has been active since 2023 and is believed to be directly involved in the attack.
Earlier on Friday, the house of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Adil Thokar, also known as Adil Guree, was demolished.
Adil Guree, a resident of Guree village in Bijbehara block of Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, is believed to have been involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, including a Nepalese national, mostly tourists. He has been declared the most wanted, and the Anantnag Police have offered a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any specific information leading to his arrest. Two Pakistani nationals were also declared most wanted in the case.
The attack on innocent civilians by terrorists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while leaving several others injured, has caused a huge uproar across the nation.
The Indian Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack in Pahalgam. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.
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All unauthorized occupations of public land will be dealt with strictly, and appropriate measures will continue to be taken to prevent such violations in the future. " Meanwhile, shopkeepers at the furniture market maintain that they never encroached on the land. According to them, they had been paying rent to the original landowners much before the administration acquired the land. They had agreed to be relocated and were trying to buy time so that they could gather resources for auction and to pay off loans. **Box: Greater good: DC Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said, "I urge all the citizens of the city to uphold the city's planned character and to refrain from unauthorized occupation of public land. Such initiatives are essential for Chandigarh's holistic development and to ensure that public resources are utilised for the greater good of all residents." Box: Betrayed, lied to: Traders assn Talking to TOI, Sanjiv Bhandari, president, Furniture Market Association, said, "Chandigarh administration has acted atrociously by removing us before rehabilitating us. We are not encroachers and have been here since 1986. The Chandigarh administration itself conducted surveys six times. We were ready to make payment, but the administration did not listen to us." Maintaining that the furniture market was the oldest in the city and the shopkeepers had been paying taxes diligently, he said that the market provided employment and income to over 5,000 people. Accusing the administration of reneging on its promise and organising the drive in a way that they would not been able to get a court reprieve, Bhandari said, "Our matter is still pending with the High Court, and the date is scheduled for Tuesday, and they demolished the market today (Sunday). We supported the administration each and every time, but they did not listen to us. They promised us to first give the land and then remove us from here, which they did not do. " Highlights of the drive —116 shops demolished in a 4-hour operation on Sunday morning. —Market was located between Sectors 53 and 54, established in 1986. —10–12 acres of prime land reclaimed, valued at Rs 400 crore Security & Execution —1,000 police personnel deployed to prevent protests —Roads leading to the market were sealed —Officials from MC, civil defence, fire services, and enforcement were present —Shopkeepers were given 2 extra hours to remove furniture. Impact on Traders —Traders resorted to distress sales with 50–60% discounts —No alternative sites or godowns provided. —Market supported over 5,000 livelihoods. —Traders claim they were paying rent and were willing to relocate, but were denied time and support. Administration's Stand —Land handed over to Engineering Department for urban development. —Original landowners were compensated as per law —Administration reiterated its stance against illegal encroachments (Photos by Pritam Thakur) MSID:: 122798777 413 |
