Don’t create panic by over-playing Kashmir situation, Karra urges news channels

Senior PDP leader and Member Parliament Tariq Hameed Karra Wednesday expressed dismay over the “panic” being created by some news channels about the flood situation in Kashmir.

In a statement, Karra said Kashmir suffered massive economic losses due to devastation caused by the floods last year with every sector of the state economy, including tourism, being hit badly.

He said there was hope of revival of tourism season this year, but the “fear psychosis” being created by some news channels has resulted in massive cancellation of bookings.

Urging the news channels to exercise restraint, Karra said instead of over-playing the situation, the news channels must build confidence among the tourists intending to visit Kashmir.

He said the water-logging of cities during rains has become a country-wide phenomenon due to congestion of drainage system and Srinagar is no exception.

The Government, he said, must immediately start cleaning of drains which have got clogged after September 2014 floods.

He urged the government to deploy high-speed water pumps in the summer capital to ensure speedy de-watering of the inundated areas.