Security of yatris important, but why leave locals suffering: CPI (M)
Demands revocation of ban order
Srinagar: State Secretary CPI (M) Ghulam Nabi Malik Friday said that the decision of Jammu and Kashmir administration to restrict civilian movement on the 97-km stretch from Qazigund to Nashri on the national highway and suspension of train services on Banihal-Qazigund rail section five hours a day during the Amarnath Yatra will lead to “massive socio-economic problems in the landlocked Kashmir Valley”.
In a statement issued here, Malik said the restrictions will not only affect the local people immensely but tourists to the valley as well.
“The ban will make a huge impact on transporters, students, teachers, patients, schools, tourists and traders as well and as such the government must review this decision,” Malik said.
He said transport was the engine of growth and highway its lifeline.
“When it is choked, people will face the shortage of goods which we import from different parts of the country. Shortage of goods will lead to a hike in prices and ultimately it will lead to the crisis,” he said.
Although security of the pilgrims was important, “but why should the issues of common people, who will suffer hugely due to this order be left unattended?” Malik asked.
Malik said that Amarnath Yatra had been going on for decades and local people havd always been part and parcel of making it successful.
“Even this was recently acknowledged by the governor who lauded the role of locals in ensuring the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage over the years,” he said.
“This is the first instance of administration restricting civilian traffic along the highway to facilitate smooth movement of Amarnath Yatra convoys,” he added.
Malik urged to the government to revoke the order as it would “create lot of problems for the local population”.
“The move is expected to cause major disruptions in the region given that the Srinagar-Jammu highway is the lifeline connecting the Valley with the rest of the country,” he added.
Instead of providing alternative routes and means of travel to Kashmir, Malik said the closure of the only available road link will put the whole population to “unimaginable inconvenience and will have disastrous consequences for its economy”.
KV News
