Srinagar, April 1 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti appealed to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday to reopen tourist places that were closed following the terror attack in Pahalgam last year.
Mufti said she was visited by several delegations from Anantnag during her visit to the south Kashmir district on Wednesday, who raised the issue of the closure of tourist places, especially in Pahalgam.
"Chandanwari is closed, the Bijbehara-Langanbal route is closed, which houses many resorts...this is affecting livelihoods. I appeal to the LG to reopen the Bijbehara-Langanbal road; security arrangements should be made, but the road should be reopened so that those who have invested lakhs of rupees to build resorts there can benefit," Mufti told reporters.
She said the closure of parks and places like Baisaran and Chandanwari in Pahalgam is "affecting the livelihoods of pony wallahs and other people."
"What will those people do? There was an incident (a terror attack in Baisaran), but the entire Kashmir should not be shut down because of that incident. I appeal to the LG to consider this and reopen these places," she added.
Terrorists attacked tourists in Baisaran in Pahalgam on April 22 last year, killing 25 tourists and a local pony driver.
Following the attack, several tourist destinations were closed due to security concerns. While many spots were gradually reopened, some remain closed.
The PDP president also pointed out the issue of "shortage" of LPG and said, "The government is saying there is no shortage, but there is one."
The former chief minister of the erstwhile state of J&K also appealed to the government to regularize the daily wagers.
"The issue of daily wagers is very important. They should be regularized. Many of them are nearing retirement. I hope the government will consider them and regularize them," she said.