LG defends Tourism, vows action on SRO-43 misuse
Srinagar, Jul 11: In a veiled warning to National Conference’s Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that people should stop spreading fake and dangerous narrative about demographic invasion in the Union Territory, which can threaten peace and harmony.
Without naming Mehdi, Sinha on Thursday said that some people were making “irresponsible” statements, such as tourists are spoiling the culture of Jammu and Kashmir.
“They say there is a demographic invasion, and alcoholism is spreading. This is a narrative similar to that of terror outfit The Resistance Front. I appeal them to stop peddling such narratives. We have already lost many innocent lives due to similar statements in the past,” Sinha said at an event in Srinagar on Thursday.
In a statement made earlier this year, Mehdi had said that some tourists were openly consuming alcohol in Kashmir and they did not even respect the sensitivities of locals with respect to religious places.
The MP had likened the open alcohol consumption to “cultural invasion”.
Mehdi made the remarks after a video, showing some tourists consuming alcohol during a Shikara ride in Dal Lake, had gone viral on social media in March this year. Another video showed a group of tourists dancing in front a revered Muslim shrine in Srinagar.
Sinha on Thursday reiterated his resolve to ensure justice for the families of terror victims and asserted that those responsible for their suffering will be held accountable.
“We are honouring and delivering justice to real terror victims of the Kashmir Valley. I recently met families of terror victims in Anantnag,” Sinha said, adding that such families will be ensured jobs.
“I will be handing over job letters to such families in a few days,” he said.
“SRO-43 (Special Recruitment Rules) was compromised in the past. Instead of those who are entitled for jobs, killers were granted jobs under SRO-43. Whoever misused SRO-43 will face action,” he added.
