After Five Months Of Unrest In Kashmir, Hurriyat Welcomes Tourists

After 5 months of shut down and unrest in the Kashmir Valley, separatists are now promising tourists they'll be safe.

This unusual statement by the separatists indicates that the changing on ground situation has forced the Hurriyat to make a rectification after forcing a long spell of shut down.

"I think it's a spelling mistake. Hurriyat must have meant 'terrorists'," said BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, take a jibe at the separatists.

Away from politics, the still waters of Kashmir's famous Dal Lake have come to life as tourists are slowly coming back.

"Initially, we were scared to visit here because of the turmoil. But after reaching here, we are really feeling good," said Tejal, a tourist from Gujarat.

Foreign tourists said they were initially reluctant to visit Kashmir in wake of the unrests. Following after their stay, however, they feel they have made a good decision.

"We didn't have any bad experience. We loved the place and will definitely come back," said Hakeeta, a South African tourist.

"I came to Kashmir with my husband 5 days ago. We really had a good time here," said Mauritian tourist Yasha.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, guardedly welcomed the Hurriyat's move.

"Tourism is ideal for the economic revival of Kashmir. It is in the interest of everybody," he said.

According to trade organisations, the unrest cost the tourism sector a loss of over Rs 3000 crore. More than 30,000 people directly related to the sector lost their jobs.

While the re-arrival of tourists is just a beginning after the five month long strife, stakeholders say tourism is a conflict neutral activity and tourists are being welcomed by one and all in Kashmir.