Tourist inflow to Kashmir declines due to terrorist attacks

New Delhi, July 26 (UNI) Tourist inflow in Kashmir this year decreased due to spurt in terrorist activities, the Government told the Rajya Sabha today.

''There has been an increase in the number of tourists during the last two years but there was a slight decrease during the current year due to some terrorist attacks targetting them,'' Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal told the House quoting a report of the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

The Minister said 2004 saw the arrival of 3.94 lakh tourists, and the number went up to 6 lakh in 2005. However, the inflow went down to 3.39 lakh by July this year.

He said the state government and security forces had taken various steps to make the environment safe for tourists.

A separate tourist police and enforcement wing at Srinagar/Jammu and other tourist places exists to take care of the visitors' interests and adequate deployment of security forces and state police has been ensured around the tourist spots and also roads leading to such places.

Besides, a separate security arrangement operational on a permanent basis exists at the Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra and its proximity.

Special security arrangements have been made for the pilgrims visiting Shri Amarnath Ji cave, Pahalgam and Kheer Bhawani.

Mr Jaisawl said the Centre provides necessary support to the state government on request and continously monitors the security situation.

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