Reopening J&K for tourism, says Omar at Gulmarg
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a key administrative meeting at the popular tourist destination of Gulmarg on Wednesday, a day after presiding over a Cabinet meeting at Pahalgam in South Kashmir.
Omar said that through these meetings, the government intends to send a strong message that “we are reopening J&K for tourism,” more than a month after the tragic terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam and the ensuing tensions between India and Pakistan. He also emphasised that the Pahalgam attack has not “stalled” the dialogue regarding the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
On Wednesday morning, Omar, along with his Cabinet colleagues and top administrative officers, reached Gulmarg to conduct the meeting.
“Continuing our effort to take governance to key tourist destinations—held a meeting of Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments at Gulmarg today, joined by my Cabinet colleagues, Advisor, and MLA Gulmarg. Reviewed readiness for Eid-ul-Azha, Mela Kheer Bhawani, Amarnath Yatra, and Muharram,” Omar wrote on X.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated the government’s aim to signal the reopening of Jammu and Kashmir for tourism.
“Before tourists from across the country begin arriving, we must come here first. That is why we held a Cabinet meeting in Pahalgam yesterday, and today, a meeting of administrative officials in Gulmarg,” he said, adding that the objective is to generate “movement and publicity.”
When asked whether the Pahalgam attack had stalled the statehood talks, Omar responded, “Not at all. If you refer to the formal speech presented at the NITI Aayog meeting, you will find a categorical mention of the return of statehood. It was shared with the Prime Minister and all members of the Governing Council.”
He clarified that while he was unwilling to use a special Assembly session to discuss statehood, the broader conversation remains “ongoing.”
Omar also said he has directed the Education Minister to resume school and college excursions and picnics to revive public confidence. Regarding the reopening of tourist sites that were closed after the Pahalgam attack, Omar noted, “If we truly want tourism to restart, we must gradually review and shorten the list of restricted areas.”
He further urged the Central Government to take action against individuals promoting a boycott of Kashmir. “The people of Kashmir did not carry out the attack. It was neither done with their permission nor for their benefit. Punishing or boycotting Kashmiris is unjust. I urge the Centre not to ignore this campaign—it should be investigated and stopped using central agencies,” he said.
Omar added that, for the first time, the people of Kashmir “came out and condemned an attack in this way.”
The Chief Minister also clarified that law and order in Jammu and Kashmir—being a Union Territory—is not solely the responsibility of the elected government.
“There are three power centres that must coordinate for smooth governance: the Union Government, the elected government, and the administration represented by Raj Bhavan. We must work together to ensure incidents like the one on April 22 are not repeated,” he stated.
J & K