Srinagar, June 29: Former legislator representing the Pahalgam constituency and Apni Party General Secretary, Rafi Ahmad Mir, on Sunday expressed his deep gratitude to Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha for intervening and ensuring the reopening of Aru Valley, one of the prominent sites in Pahalgam that had been closed in the wake of the horrific attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. On June 16, Rafi Ahmad Mir called on LG Sinha at the Srinagar Raj Bhawan, presenting him with a written submission urging LG’s intervention for the reopening of Aru Valley.He had pleaded that, like other sites in Pahalgam, Aru Valley is an important destination visited by a large number of tourists, which eventually helps provide livelihood opportunities to locals — including those involved in tourism services, pony rides, cab driving, and those affiliated with handicrafts and hospitality — who are directly dependent on tourism in Aru valley.In a statement issued today, Rafi Ahmad Mir expressed his gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for intervening to reopen Aru for both tourists and locals. He also congratulated the local community on this positive development.
