‘Kargil problem does not affect tourism’
SRINAGAR, June 3 — While the trouble in Kargil reduced tourist inflow to Kashmir by 50 per cent during the past two weeks, the state government here today claimed that normal flow of tourists had resumed since yesterday. So far more than two lakh tourists have visited Kashmir, according to the travel trade organisations, breaking the decade-long records in the wake of trouble in the valley.

Rally against shelling, 4 held, teargas used
SRINAGAR, June 3 — The police today arrested four persons including a separatist leader and fired teargas shells to disperse a rally protesting against airstrikes and shelling in the Kargil sector.

‘Kargil problem does not affect tourism’
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 3 — While the trouble in Kargil reduced tourist inflow to Kashmir by 50 per cent during the past two weeks, the state government here today claimed that normal flow of tourists had resumed since yesterday. So far more than two lakh tourists have visited Kashmir, according to the travel trade organisations, breaking the decade-long records in the wake of trouble in the valley.

"Kargil problem does not affect tourism in Kashmir, Jammu and Leh", said Mr Parvez Dewan, Commissioner-Secretary, Department of tourism of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, while talking to reporters here today. Against a daily arrivals of nearly 3,500 tourists in the first half of May, the number of daily arrivals had declined to 1,400 and 1,800 following the trouble in Kargil, Mr Dewan said.

The decline was mostly because of the reports appearing outside Kashmir following the closure of the Srinagar airport to civilian flights. The step had been taken in view of the airstrikes by Indian Air Force (IAF) in Kargil and Dras sectors against the intruders from across the Line of Control (LoC). The airport has already been opened to the civilian traffic.

Claiming that Sonamarg like any other area in the Kashmir valley was safe for tourist flow, Mr Dewan said Sonamarg, 90 km from here on the Srinagar Leh highway would be playing host to a film shooting and a TV serial shooting from June 8 next. "We have full bookings for the accommodation and other facilities at Sonamarg from June 8 onwards", said Mr Khursheed Naqeeb of the J and K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC), a sister organisation of the Tourism Department associated with the revenue earnings by the tourism. The Cinevista production company, according to the Tourism officials, will have a long stint of shooting for its 52 episode serial-"Noor Jehan", and a film shooting from south starring Raveena Tandon and Nagarjuna.

A number of representatives of the travel trade organisations were also present on the occasion. It was disclosed that Sonamarg was "safe for tourists". The Tourism Commissioner denied the reports that Sonamarg had been closed to tourists amid reports of stopping of tourist vehicles since May 26 when airstrikes were started against the intruders in Kargil sector. "There was a lack of coordination", Mr Parvez Dewan said adding that there had been varying reports about the tourist spot. The police had been stopping tourist vehicles at Gund 20 km short of Sonamarg for "security reasons".

The representatives of travel trade expect the flow of about five lakh tourists to the valley this summer, while at least 2.25 lakh of these had already arrived in the valley. According to these representatives April — June months mark a heavy rush of tourists as per the past practice, before the holidays in the educational institution are over. These tourists are followed by those from eastern parts of the country and the "flow of tourists continues till autumn", a travel representative said.

Mr Parvez Dewan said the tourists had been making enquiries about the situation in Kargil but "we did not have alarming cancellations". Only yesterday at least 2000 tourists had arrived in Srinagar, he added. This was because of the resuming of flights from the Srinagar airport. Three flights are already operational to Srinagar from Delhi and Jammu, while the fourth is also being introduced from tomorrow, the Tourism Commissioner revealed.

Various arrangements are being made for tourist attraction which include the tourism week with entertainment programmes in Nunkun Park and Dal Lake areas. The houseboat owners and others dependent on the tourism are also being provided with the already sanctioned relief of Rs 75 lakh. Mr Parvez Dewan said. He disclosed that arrangements were being made to provide the assistance of a police officer at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) for permission for visits to Cheshma Shahi and Pari Mahal overlooking Dal Lake. These tourist attractions are closed to the public and are opened occasionally for the past two years on Baisakhi only.

Rally against shelling, 4 held, teargas used

SRINAGAR, June 3 (PTI) — The police today arrested four persons including a separatist leader and fired teargas shells to disperse a rally protesting against airstrikes and shelling in the Kargil sector.

The protest rally, which violated the prohibitory orders in force in the city, was led by separatist leader and president of the recently formed National Front, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, and was participated mostly by students, who assembled at Maisuma in the heart of the city, official sources said.

The police, which immediately came into action, used tear smoke shells and batons to disperse the rally and arrested Nayeem Khan along with three others for the violation of prohibitory orders, the sources said.

Immediately after the police action, groups of youths indulged in brick-batting in Maisuma, Kokerbazar, Gawkadal, disrupting normal life. They also burnt tyres on the main roads and forced shopkeepers to put up the shutters, the sources said.

UNI: Two militants were among four persons killed, while security forces recovered rockets, bombs and grenades in the valley during the past 24 hours.

An official spokesperson said security forces killed two militants in an encounter at Haryali last evening. One AK rifle, seven magazines, 126 rounds, three grenades and one wireless set were recovered.

A surrendered militant Abdul Aziz Rather was killed by militants at Krimpora in the frontier district of Kupwara last night, the spokesperson added.

Militants abducted and later killed a woman at Bagwanpora on the outskirts of Srinagar city this morning.

Forces also recovered two AK rifles, 34 grenades, one grenade launcher, 20 magazines, 600 rounds, three pistols, four rockets, three mortar bombs, two remote control devices, 10 detonators and two wireless sets during overnight operations across the valley, the spokesperson said.

PTI: Militants made an attempt on the life of a senior member of the People’s Patriotic Front (PPF) and shot dead a woman in another incident in Kashmir valley since last evening.

Master Mohammad Ramzan, secretary of the PPF, a political wing of counter-insurgency Muslim Mujahideen outfit, had a narrow escape when militants attacked his house with grenades and automatic weapons at Tujjarwarsu in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, late last night, an official spokesman said.

He said the police guards posted there retaliated and repulsed the militant attack aimed at assassinating him.

Ramzan, who was present in the house at the time of the attack, escaped unhurt along with his family members, the spokesman said, adding militants escaped immediately after the retaliation by the security personnel.

The spokesman said militants shot dead a woman, Feroza Begum in the Zonimar area of downtown Srinagar today. Hailing from Bhagwanpora locality of Lal Bazar, the victim was reportedly abducted and later shot dead by the militants.

The motive behind her killing was not known immediately, the spokesman added.

Minister denies migration from Rajouri, Poonch
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, June 3 — The School Education Minister, Mr Mohammad Sharief Tariq, has said that as the topography of the Peer Panjal range is different from that of the heights in the Kargil and Dras areas, there is no need for initiating air strikes in the upper reaches of the range as demanded by the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mr Tariq, who went on a three-day tour of the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, said his party did not favour air strikes in Poonch and Rajouri as the Indian Army was already in occupation of all posts in these heights.

Mr Tariq said there was no migration of any family from the border villages of Rajouri and Poonch districts in spite of provocation from across the border.

The people of these border districts wanted permanent peace in the state as they had suffered a lot during the past 50 years especially during three wars.

He said schools situated on the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri were suffering badly as due to Pakistani firing, both teachers and students refrained from attending school.

The minister assured the people living near the LoC that the entire nation was behind them and was proud of their courage and patriotic spirit.

The minister said adequate stocks of foodgrain and other essential commodities had been made available in all areas, including Haveli, Surankote, Mendhar, Mandi and Gulpur.