Small but steady tourist return to Pahalgam sends strong message against fear, terror: Report
Srinagar: Even before the Jammu and Kashmir administration officially reopens sixteen tourist destinations from June 17, a modest but meaningful number of tourists have reportedly started arriving in Pahalgam.
Nearly two months after the April 22 terror attack in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local resident, the famed resort town is once again welcoming travellers drawn by its cool climate and natural beauty, as reported by Deccan Herald on Monday.
While visitor numbers remain below peak season levels, many here emphasise that their visit is about more than leisure. “This isn’t just a trip—it’s a message. Kashmir is as safe as any other tourist destination in the world. The only way to defeat terror is to refuse to be terrorised. We are here to show that Kashmir’s spirit is unbreakable,” DH quoted Atul Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, as saying.
A Srinagar-based family echoed the sentiment, viewing their visit as a way to reclaim peace. “We are enjoying the mountains, the calm, and the cool air,” said Aaliya, who came with her two children. She acknowledged that the incident was tragic but emphasised that life must go on, urging people from across India to visit and see for themselves that Kashmir is safe, welcoming, and as beautiful as ever.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration recently announced the reopening of 16 tourist spots after a thorough security review. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured that remaining destinations will reopen in phases and emphasised that safety arrangements are in place, stressing that tourism must not fall victim to fear.
Pahalgam, one of Kashmir’s popular travel destinations, experienced widespread cancellations following the terror attack. Locals, whose livelihoods depend on tourism, are hopeful that the returning trickle of visitors will soon grow into a steady stream.
“Even if it’s not a big crowd yet, it’s a start—and a statement. Every tourist who comes is helping us heal and resist what those behind the violence wanted to achieve,” a local shopkeeper expressed.
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Karnataka Cabinet ratifies decisions on internal reservation for SCs
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka Cabinet has ratified its earlier decisions on internal reservation for Scheduled Castes and approved key modifications to streamline recruitment, including withdrawal and reissue of notifications and adoption of a 400-point roster system.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Thursday said the Cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to implementing internal reservation within the 15 per cent SC quota and expediting long-pending recruitment across departments.
"The Cabinet ratified decisions taken in earlier meetings (April 16 and April 24) and made modifications regarding reservation policies," Patil said.
He said the government will implement internal reservation within the 15 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes in specified proportions and revise recruitment notifications accordingly, with a 400-point roster to be followed.
If fewer than three roster points for SC arise in recruitment, then all 101 Scheduled Caste communities will be allowed to compete under SC general, he said.
Patil added that recruitment notifications issued without incorporating internal reservation will be withdrawn and reissued in line with the revised policy.
"If the Supreme Court approves 24 per cent reservation for SC/ST, six per cent backlog posts will be filled," he said, noting that urgent steps will be taken to fill 56,432 approved posts.
The latest decision follows the Cabinet's April 24 resolution that cleared a revised internal reservation formula within the overall 15 per cent SC quota, paving the way for long-pending government recruitment. The government had approved 5.25 per cent reservation each for the "right-hand" and "left-hand" groups, and about 4.5 per cent for other Scheduled Castes, including nomadic communities.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had then said the categorisation was worked out proportionately within the constitutional ceiling. "From tomorrow onwards, the recruitment process will begin with the issuance of notifications," he had said after the April 24 Cabinet meeting.
He also noted that the SC quota was fixed at 15 per cent and ST at three per cent in line with the 50 per cent cap laid down in the Indra Sawhney case, while pointing out that the Supreme Court had permitted internal reservation within constitutional limits.
