CM condemns Billawar civilian killings
Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 10:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stated that the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border has led to a revival of tourism activities in frontier areas. Replying to a supplementary question raised by Member Sajad Shafi regarding his Uri constituency, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, informed the House that as the border areas are slowly opening after the ceasefire along the LoC and border, tourism is witnessing a positive trend due to the prevailing peace in the region.
“It is true that Uri has huge border tourism potential. Tourists have started visiting areas like Uri and are eager to explore places such as Aman Setu and other scenic locations. Our priority is to enhance tourism infrastructure in these regions,” Omar Abdullah said.
In response to a starred question from the member, he stated that the feasibility of establishing a Zipline or Cable Car project from Lagama to Baba Farred Garkote in Uri Constituency would be assessed by the Tourism Department. However, he clarified that no such proposal is currently under consideration.
The Chief Minister further said that the development of locations such as Rustom and Nambla Waterfalls, with their inclusion under the Border Tourism Programme, would be considered in the future, subject to feasibility and availability of resources.
Highlighting the potential of adventure tourism, he noted that Bijham and Limber
Tourism in border
Waterfall/Limber Wildlife Sanctuary are well known for attracting adventure enthusiasts.
The Tourism Department has undertaken several initiatives for the holistic development of these areas, he said.
The Chief Minister said that while the department does not directly operate paragliding activities, it facilitates them through private adventure tourism operators.
Additionally, capacity-building programs are conducted for aspiring trainers, and permissions for paragliding are granted after a feasibility survey.
Regarding camping facilities, the Chief Minister informed that the Tourism Department facilitates and grants permission for setting up of camping colonies at the Gantamulla reservoir on the banks of River Jhelum.
The government has already developed key tourism assets to facilitate visitors traveling from Baramulla to Salamabad, Uri.
These, he said, include the development of Khadinyar Park, a tourist cafeteria and TIC at Boniyar, a tourist cafeteria at Salamabad in Uri, and a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Salamabad. Additionally, the gutted cafeteria at Eco-Park Khadinyar has been reconstructed.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed deep concern on behalf of the House over the recent civilian killings in the Billawar area of Kathua.
While condemning the tragic loss of innocent lives, the Chief Minister stated, “As the leader of the House, I want to formally express our collective concern over the killings in Billawar and extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We mourn the loss of all three innocent civilians who were killed in this incident, as well as the two others who lost their lives in a similar incident before this.”
Calling for a thorough investigation, he emphasized the need to ascertain “how and why the incident occurred and who was responsible for it.”
He also stressed the importance of taking appropriate action regarding the attack on MLA Bani.
Questioning the circumstances surrounding the visit of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) while his Deputy Chief Minister was not allowed to visit the affected area, Omar Abdullah remarked, “If I am correct, the Leader of Opposition visited the area. It appears that a political narrative is being attached to the situation. Yesterday, I spoke to the Deputy Chief Minister, who was advised against visiting the area due to the prevailing situation. I told him that as responsible individuals, we must ensure that our presence does not escalate tensions. If the situation is volatile, it is prudent for both of us to refrain from visiting.”
The Chief Minister further stated that a senior police officer of Kathua district had informed Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary that the situation remained tense and that he could visit the area in 2-3 days once normalcy was restored.
“What is beyond my understanding is that if the situation was indeed so volatile that the Deputy Chief Minister was advised against visiting, how was the LoP allowed to do so? We demand answers from those who allowed the LoP’s visit while preventing the Deputy CM from going there,” he asserted.
