Omar in Pahalgam: 3 govts must unite for tourists' safety

AS THE Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet met on Tuesday in Pahalgam, the tourist destination where terrorists killed 26 civilians last month, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sought to underline one message: Tourism should be a "conflict-neutral" activity, and his government will make every effort to "insulate" it from the developments in the region.

- BASHAARAT MASOOD

Alluding to the challenges of having dual power centres in Jammu and Kashmir—his government and the Lieutenant Governor—Omar said the "three governments" (these two entities and the Centre) need to work together.

"Tourism is my responsibility, but the security of the tourists is not my responsibility," he said. "Here, three governments will have to work together: the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir, the unelected government of Jammu and Kashmir, and the Centre."