Government makes concerted bid to change ‘fake’ perception of Valley

NEW DELHI: The government seems to be making a concerted bid to counter the “fake” narrative of Jammu & Kashmir being on the boil when the insurgency has been confined to a smaller belt accounting for just 11% of the Kashmir valley.
A recent assessment done by officials shows if the entire state’s geographical area, including Jammu and Ladakh regions, are added, the area where terrorists continue to pose a security challenge shrinks to a mere 3% of the area of the state.
The home ministry under Amit Shah has decided to challenge the perception which has hurt the state by adversely impacting tourism- the mainstay of local economy- and has generated a negativity about the state in other parts: something which feeds into the estrangement and is exploited by Pakistan-backed secessionists to inflame passions.
“The four districts in South Kashmir including Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam, have witnessed some activity by insurgents but rest of the state has been peaceful,” a senior home ministry official said adding, “Unfortunately, a picture is depicted as if the entire state is disturbed.”
Sources said several delegations will be sent to the valley to see as to how the state is witnessing change and normalcy restored in most areas that will help people shed their apprehensions about visiting the tourist state.
“We intend to convince people of the country particularly media that parts of Kashmir has a law and order problem and the state should not be given a special attention,” a top government functionary said. He said Pulwama terror attack resulted in sudden dip in tourist footfall but gradually it has regained momentum as most of the tourist destinations are witnessing reasonable occupancy.
State Houseboat Association president Shamir Shah says negative image of the state is taking toll on tourism. “Not a single tourist has been attacked but negative media coverage about the state has harmed Kashmir the most,” he said and added, “Boost to tourism will be the best way to win people’s confidence.”
Recently Congress leader in Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad had demanded that the government should ban giving negative publicity to the state, but the home minister was not in favour of imposing any ban. However, the government is making efforts to convince the media that ground reality should be shown unlike the current perception.
While attempts to change perception about the state is intended to give boost to tourism, the government has also chalked out a comprehensive plan of action to reach out to the people of the valley with several centrally sponsored schemes.
“Our effort is to ensure that at least nine lakh people of the valley are beneficiaries of one of the 16 centrally sponsored schemes,” a senior official said.