'If There is Threat to Yatra, Why is Gulmarg Being Emptied'

NEW DELHI — Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter on Friday and expressed his dismay over the current state of affairs in the Valley.

A midday order issued by the state home department on Friday advised Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to immediately rush back home citing threat to annual pilgrimage.

Taking to Twitter, Omar Abdullah raised questions on the sudden lockdown of the Valley. 

“Friends staying in hotels in Gulmarg are being forced to leave. State road transport Corpn buses are being deployed to bus people out from Pahalgam & Gulmarg. If there is a threat to the yatra why is Gulmarg being emptied,” he questioned.

Shedding light on the helplessness the people of Kashmir, the NC leader added, “I have so many questions & not a single answer. I’ve met people today who occupy important positions to do with J&K, not one of them was able to tell me anything and I’ve been CM for 6 years. Imagine the plight of your everyday Kashmiri who doesn’t know what to believe.”

The state government today advised the Amarnath Yatris and tourists to leave the valley keeping in view the "latest intelligence inputs of terror threats".

"Keeping in view the latest intelligence inputs of terror threats, with specific targeting of the Amarnath Yatra, and given the prevailing security situation in the Kashmir Valley, in the interest of safety and security of the tourists and Amarnath Yatris, it is advised that they may curtail their stay in the valley immediately and take necessary measures to return as soon as possible," the state government's notice said.