Srinagar: The recent attack on tourists in Srinagar has convinced the tourism sector to put forward a demand regarding insurance cover for tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir.
The authorities indicate that the attacks on tourists is being perpetrated by foreign terrorists.
“These attacks are different because tourists have not been attacked by militants so far in the Valley,” DIG Police, Kashmir Range, Farooq Ahmad said.
“There is a change in the pattern of attacks,” Ahmad added.
According to some reports, the idea of providing insurance cover has been floated by the state government.
The administration has agreed to pay a part of the insurance premium for the tourists, while the rest will come from the Central Government.
The insurance cover will be provided to both domestic and foreign tourists visiting the Valley.
However, the proposal is still under consideration by the state government.
State Tourism Minister M H Baig met tourist operators and shikara (houseboat) owners of Kashmir on Thursday regarding the proposed cover.
Final modalities will be prepared once Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad gives the green signal.
Tourist operators have welcomed the proposed insurance cover, saying that it would instill confidence in tourists.
State Tourism Director Farooq Ahmed Shah believes that the overall situation is not as dismal as is being projected in the media.
“Whether these attacks will have any impact will only be evident in the coming days, but till now there is a good response particularly from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Tourists from those states have earlier also cooperated with us and we hope for cooperation in future,” says Shah.
Rajeev, a tourist from West Bengal said, “Kashmir is not normal yet. We know there can be attacks, but that doesn't mean tourists should shun this beautiful part of our country”.
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