SRINAGAR: Days after separatist groups invited tourists to the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called upon the people of the country to visit the state and enjoy its hospitality, saying that it was the safest place in the world for tourists.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the safest place not only in the country but the whole world for tourists and especially for women. You can move around here without any fear even during nights and nothing untoward will happen to you,” Mehbooba said while speaking at a function here.
She said that women face many hardships in other places in the country but her government would not let them face any hardships here.
“We get to know what happens to women in broad daylight in other places, compared to that women can come here either by themselves or in groups. We will take good care of them and would not let them face any hardship,” she said.
The chief minister said that her government would offer exciting packages to the tourists and invited them to visit the state along with their families.
“The atmosphere here is also very good, the place is picturesque and then snowfall is in the offing and I would like to invite all the people of the country to visit Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality.
“Kashmir is calling you all. We will offer exciting packages. We will organize a snow festival at Gulmarg in January, so I request the people of the country to visit Kashmir along with their children,” she said.
Mehbooba’s invite comes days after separatists made an appeal to tourists to visit the Valley, saying tourists and pilgrims from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir were most welcome.
“From centuries, Kashmiris have been safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and Yatris from the world, including India, as we have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great religion.
“Tourists and Yartris from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir are most welcome,” the separatists said in a statement on December 6.
Since the agitation broke out in July, tourism-related activities have come to a standstill in Kashmir. (AGENCIES)
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