Lethpora attack and its aftermath
February 14 attack on a paramilitary convoy has left an indelible mark on Kashmir in many ways. Not only did the attack bring the two arch rivals India and Pakistan on the brink of a war yet again, but things have been different for the people of Kashmir as well.
The aftermath and the boycott call given by various fanatic groups to stay away from Kashmir and Kashmiris has hit many sectors including trade, commerce, education, tourism and even cultural ties.
Thousands of students had to run for safety from many Indian states fearing reprisal by fanatic elements as various cases of harassment and even violence against students were reported resulting in academic loss to the students. The situation turned so grave that the government of Jammu and Kashmir had to appoint officers to liaison with various state governments to ensure that Kashmiri students are able to join back in their respective colleges and Universities.
The impact of the smear campaign against the people of Kashmir was so deep rooted and planned that most of the tradesmen who venture in various states during winters had to cut short their visits and rush back to the valley leaving their merchandise well behind so as to escape the wrath and the euphoria that was created by various vested interests.
The boycott Kashmir campaign also hit the tourism sector which is in deep distress as the bookings to Kashmir have been almost negligible. In such a scenario the government too has been not too forthcoming to set things right on track.
The boycott campaignís run on someoneís behest are being run relentlessly on social media for quite some time. Initially started by a travel agent based in Mumbai, the campaign has been let to be run without caring for the impact it will have on the state that is dependent on tourism for its revenue and employment generation.
The department of tourism, along with the stake-holders, has not so far used their good offices to reach out to people who have been involved in such biased campaigns. Besides, no case has been even registered against these people so that such activities could have been put to a halt.
The state government should have way back suggested legal action against these unscrupulous elements that are hell bent on tarnishing the image of the state, besides damaging its economy.
Kashmir has earned a sobriquet of the safest place for tourists as a zero crime rate has been witnessed against tourists in the state during the past many years now. This aspect of Kashmir should have been made a USP to sell Kashmir tourism amongst all those who take a leisure break and visit many places during their spare time.
The government should have involved various tourism and travel associations based in cosmopolitan cities to initiate confidence-building measures amongst their members for marketing and portraying Kashmir as the safest tourist destination in the country.
Besides, a reach out to embassies and high commissions of countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Bangladesh should have been started much earlier so that the negative tourist advisories that have been issued could have been revoked or temporarily suspended.