‘Attack can’t happen without local support’

Mumbai: The dastardly attack that left 28 tourists dead because they were Hindu, at Baisaran Valley, barely 5 kilometres from Pahalgam in Kashmir’s Anantnag district could not have been possible without the help of the locals said a volunteer who has closely worked at grassroot level for the upliftment of the local residents of Kashmir. Upon request of anonymity due to safety concerns, the source said, “Reaching the Baisaran valley, and going table to table, ensuring the religion of every tourist and then killing them from point blank range- All this cannot happen without the local residents’ support. Locals can include both infiltrators and residents. They may have supported them willingly or unwillingly. The staff at the eatery, the pony masters and the local guides are all suspects.”

The source added, “I am not saying all of them have aided the terrorists. However, its hard to believe that none of them helped the terrorists. It’s shocking that none of them have identified any terrorist. The attack has not happened without the help of the locals for sure. Nothing will change, unless the locals speak up and stop supporting these malicious intentions of the Pak sponsored intruders.”

Baisaran valley shut for tourism

A tour manager who is currently in Kashmir on a tour with 20 travellers in his group spoke to The Perfect Voice. Requesting anonymity, he said, “We were at Pahalgam on Tuesday. However, since Baisaran is never a part of our itinerary, we were luckily safe. All the guests have been safely shifted to Srinagar. The guests have decided to go ahead with the tour as per schedule.”

He added, “No tour operators in India have Baisaran as a part of their itinerary due to safety concerns. Baisaran valley is 5-7 km away from Pahalgam. Usually, people trek to reach the spot or take horse rides. It’s close to dense forests. It is very risky. However, certain travelers get their tours customized where they prepare their own itinerary. My research says that the tourists who were targeted were not a part of a stereotypical conducted tour because we strictly avoid risky places.”

Most travel Companies guest operators said that so far, no requests of cancellations or rescheduling have been received and that apart from Baisaran which has been completely shut and cordoned off, all their tours- ongoing and planned in future will continue. Tour companies say that till the government sends a written notification directing the tourism to be completely shut in the valley, next one-month bookings will work as per schedule. A source from a Mumbai based popular tour operating company said that they have 100-150 guests who travel through them to Kashmir per day during April and May. The attack happened during a time which is considered to be the most favourable for the tourism sector in Kashmir.

Will the tourism sector be hit?

Having said that, sources also said that the mindset of the locals has gradually changed for the better. Till date, no Kashmiri local condemned any such attack. Killing of one or two persons in Kashmir is a frequent happening. However, such a big attack and tourists being targeted is something that’s not a norm. Sources point out that the local residents have started realizing that such attacks are a direct threat to their source of income. Every local wants development and a better lifestyle. Such attacks are only pushing them away from education, opportunities and a peaceful life.

Experts point out that the most popular destinations in Kashmir do not actually contribute to the income of the locals.

Hrishikesh Yadav, a volunteer who has worked in Kashmir for the locals with guidance of the Indian Army for over 20 years and has also been actively guiding tourists to get homestays at remote and unpopular yet beautiful destinations in Kashmir spoke to The Perfect Voice. He said, “Kashmir is not all about Pahalgam. It’s much vaster than that. Entire Kashmir needs tourists. Tour companies have set destinations and only few locals benefit from tourist influx there. Rest of Kashmir is devoid of opportunities. Yadav said, “With proper security and guidance, I have been guiding groups of tourists to experience home stays at remote and scenic locations across Kashmir. These homestays are actually contributing to the income of the locals. The other stereotypical tourist destinations are making a difference to the locals. These locals surprisingly have a very positive attitude towards India.”

A positive change

Over decades, experts point out that the attitude of the locals towards the Indian army, and India as a country has changed for the better, especially since the abrogation of article 370. Yadav says credit goes to the Indian Army that has left no stone unturned in ensuring the grievances of the locals, especially women are addressed at all levels. Yadav said, “I can make a stark difference. In 1982, when I had been to Kashmir, the local guides would refuse to show us the Shankaracharya temple. This has changed. Besides, when I had worked closely with the CRPF Jawan, he had said that in his initial days, locals would spit on the faces of the Army jawans. Today children salute and say “Jai Hind”. It’s unthinkable for a Tiranga to sustain at a place like Bukka road which was the beginning of something which we could never dream of 20 years ago.”