Srinagar: Asserting that the situation is normal in Kashmir, a senior Army official said that record visitors, including locals, are thronging tourist destinations in the valley.
“Conducive atmosphere has been created in Kashmir valley, where record numbers of tourists, including locals, are thronging tourist destinations,” General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps Lt General DP Pandey told reporters on the sideline of ‘Doodhpathri Festival in central Kashmir district of Budgam. The festival was organized by the Army to promote tourist resort of Doodhpatri as a tourist destination.
“Such festivals are organized in coordination with the civil administration so that we can further their reach and act as a supplement. If you see good numbers of tourists are coming to the valley and it actually doesn’t require much efforts. But, the Army wants to support the work of the civil administration… so that is why we are organizing such event,” he said.
The Army commander said that a similar programme was organized in Yousmarg last year. “This year, the event was organized in Doodhpathri so that more tourist come to this resort… more tourist influx which help the local people to earn their livelihood and increase employment opportunity,” he added.
Answering a question about recovery of drugs in border town of Uri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla, Lt General Pandey said that J&K police is doing an excellent job in curtailing this menace. “Drugs are the domain of police. Army is responsible for security and management at LoC. If anything comes to our attention at the LoC appropriate action is taken… Drug trafficking is a way to indulge people into bad things… it is not done only in Kashmir in rest of the country. I’m sure police is capable of doing their job and they are doing it wonderfully,” he said.
“Large number of recoveries took place this year, so police is doing a good job. I’m hopeful that the menace of drugs will be contained so that our youth can be saved,” he added.
