Editorial | Reopening Shut Sites Indicates Faith in Security

Tourism is one of the major sectors of Kashmir’s economy. Lakhs of families are dependent directly and indirectly on it. When places are kept closed for prolonged durations, the economic burden is enormous. Guides, pony walas, hoteliers, transport operators, and local shops all lose out. Opening these 12 places is thus more than symbolic. It provides relief to those whose very living depends upon the continuous inflow of tourists.

Concurrently, visitors regard the opening up as an indicator of stability. They are reluctant to visit when they hear about closures, curfews, or movement restrictions. By removing these restrictions, the administration instills faith in Kashmir as a secure tour destination.

The move does not imply that security issues are being overlooked. To the contrary, the Governor has stated categorically that all steps are being taken to beef up safety. Security personnel continue to be deployed in vulnerable areas. New surveillance networks and coordination systems are being established. The intent is evident: no going soft on protection, even as life normalizes.

Previously, long closure tended to give the impression of vulnerability. It indicated that militants could set the agenda. This reopening reverses that message. It indicates the state will respond strongly to threats but will not allow fear to determine policy in the long run.

Each assault in the Valley is a reminder of unresolved challenges. But the response has to be strategic, not reflexive. Sealing sites for good only creates a temporary illusion of safety. Preparedness involves securing corridors, investing in local police, utilizing intelligence inputs more effectively, and engaging communities in safety initiatives.

Governor Sinha’s strategy seems based on this line of thought. He has consistently stated that security cannot happen at the expense of strangling normal life. Rather, security must make possible peace and growth.

It should be noted that security mechanisms cannot bring peace by themselves. They offer the armor, but the ground situation requires trust, dialogue, and development. Local communities must sense that they are stakeholders in stability. This demands investment in education, health, employment, and infrastructure.

Tourism is one gateway. If villagers near Gulmarg, Pahalgam, or Sonamarg find their earnings increase with peace, they automatically become allies of keeping things in order. The government should thus associate reopening of destinations with building local capacity. Training modules, small business loans, and improved facilities can make tourism a source of both revenue and stability.

The reopening has a message beyond the Valley too. It conveys to potential tourists in the rest of India that Kashmir is open and can be visited. It sends a message to international onlookers that the place is stable enough for a visit. In an era of a highly competitive global tourism, messages like these are important.

The Governor’s initiative, therefore, extends beyond the economy in the Valley. It contributes to the national perception of Kashmir as a place of natural beauty and cultural richness. When tourists return en masse, the Valley’s story will be about hospitality and not conflict.

This is not to overlook dangers. The Valley remains under the threat of militants. Cross-border infiltration is a reality. Security forces need to be constantly vigilant against evolving tactics. Intelligence failures or coordination gaps can have exorbitant prices.

There is also the issue of perception. One blunder can ruin months of building confidence. The administration needs to thus couple the reopening with robust communication. Visitors need to know that security is being prioritized. Visible benefits should be observed by local people.

Governor Manoj Sinha’s move is a step in the right direction. It combines toughness with reassurance. It identifies the necessity of security but does not allow itself to be taken over by fear. Above all, it acknowledges that peace in Kashmir will be constructed not just by soldiers but also by normal citizens leading ordinary lives.

Opening the 12 sites again is just an initiation. The eye must now turn towards ensuring that each of the reopened places becomes safer, more hospitable, and more productive for the locals. That is how faith develops and fear diminishes.

The Valley needs peace. Its people need normalcy. Every step towards restoring both must be celebrated and fortified.