Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the ban on helicopter services from Pahalgam and Baltal for the Amarnath Yatra sends a wrong message to the rest of the country, even as efforts continue to reopen tourist destinations and evacuate students stuck in Iran.
Speaking to reporters after receiving Hajj pilgrims at Srinagar International Airport, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah as per news agency JKNS expressed gratitude and concern on multiple key issues facing the region.
“I feel fortunate to have welcomed the Hajj pilgrims today along with my colleagues. Our priority was to ensure their safe return home,” Omar said.
He thanked the pilgrims for praying for the peace and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir during their sacred journey. “We are truly grateful to all the Haji Sahibaan for remembering J&K in their prayers. May Allah accept all their duas,” he added.
On Indian students stuck in conflict-hit regions of Iran, CM Omar said, “I have been in constant contact with the Ministry of External Affairs. I have spoken several times to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who assured me that our students, particularly those in high-risk areas like Tehran and Isfahan, will be evacuated.”
“They are currently being moved to Armenia by land and will be flown back to India from there,” CM Omar added.
Commenting on the reopening of tourist destinations, CM Omar said, “This has been our effort for a long time. It has always been strange that while we talk about reviving tourism, we ourselves kept parts of Kashmir closed to visitors. It is a good sign that these destinations are gradually reopening, and we hope tourists will start returning soon.”
Regarding the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, Omar Abdullah welcomed the pilgrimage but expressed concern over the decision to suspend helicopter services. “It is good that the Amarnath Yatra is about to begin and we want it to proceed smoothly,” he said.
But I find it quite odd that helicopter services from Pahalgam and Baltal have been disallowed this year. This sends a wrong message to the rest of the country about the situation in the valley,” CM Omar said. (JKNS)
