Police Restrict Tourist Movement on Mulbangil–Batoo Route via Hajibal–Babareshi Axis

Baramulla :Police in Baramulla on Thursday issued an advisory restricting tourist movement towards the Mulbangil–Batoo route via the Hajibal–Babareshi axis, citing safety concerns over increasing visits to remote and non-designated areas.
According to the advisory, authorities have observed a recent rise in the movement of tourists towards the interior areas of Mulbangil and Batoo, with some visits allegedly being facilitated by tourism service providers, guides and transport operators.
Police said the Qazipora–Ziran–Batoo–Mulbangil–Hajibal route is not part of the officially notified tourist circuit and passes through remote locations that lack adequate visitor support systems and emergency response facilities.
“In the interest of public safety and to prevent tourists from venturing into areas not designated for tourism activities, movement towards the route shall be regulated and prohibited with immediate effect and until further orders,” the advisory stated.
Authorities have directed hotel owners, guest house operators, homestay owners, travel agencies, tour operators, taxi operators, tourist guides, pony operators and other stakeholders not to facilitate, advertise, organise or encourage tourist visits to the restricted area.
Police said enforcement teams would be deployed at strategic locations to ensure compliance with the restrictions. It warned that any individual, guide, agency or establishment found violating the directions or facilitating unauthorized movement would face strict legal action under relevant provisions of law.