Mehboba Mufti Slam closes tourist spots, detention of local people after Pahalgam attack. Bharat News

Srinagar: J&K EX-CM and PDP President Mehboba Mufti on Monday criticized the government’s decision to shut down dozens of tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley and expressed concern over the “wider” custody in the security crack after the 22 April terrorist attack on 22 April.
During the visit to Pahgam, Mehbooba said, “Our tourists are demonstrating immense bravery and a message that we are not afraid, but when they look at destinations like Aru Valley and Chandanwari, it doesn’t feel good,” Mehboba said during a visit to Pahgam, where he met many tourists. “We have security, deploy them there.”
Officials have temporarily closed 48 of 87 tourist resorts in Kashmir as a security measure. Mehboba accused the administration of stopping tourism instead of supporting. “In these times when some tourists are visiting Pahalgam, instead of the convenience of their entry, you have closed it,” he said.
He condemned the attack in Pahalgam and called for harsh punishment for those responsible. “The people of Kashmir unanimously came against this fierce attack and disrespected it,” he said.
However, Mehboba played an alarm on the treatment of local people in view of the attack. He said, “Shawl vendors, Poniwallah, tea-sellers, and other buses are trying to earn livelihood, being taken into inquiry or custody,” he said.
Mehboba alleged that they were being held for hours or all day without food, then asked to return for further inquiries without allegations of wrongdoing.
He warned that “broader detention” was promoting resentment. “Such blanket criminalization of local people not only separates our people, but also sows seeds of resentment and mistrust,” he said.
Mehboba also criticized that some citizens voluntarily presented themselves to assist the investigators, labeled as “Over Ground Workers” (OGWS), who were tied to terrorist groups. “He was a poor man with a political or terrorist affiliation, just trying to cooperate in good faith,” he said.
He appealed to the government to respond with fairness and compassion. “The collective punishment of innocent civilians is not how a democratic society responds to the tragedy,” said Mehbooba. “Accountability and security are important, but we should also maintain the dignity of innocent citizens.”
With the Amarnath Yatra approaching the Amarnath Yatra, Mehboba urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to provide financial assistance to Ponywallah, taxi operators and other tourism-dependent workers, whose livelihood has been affected by the current crack. “These areas build the backbone of Pahalgam’s economy and are running again under immense stress due to frequent disruption,” he said.