After Three deaths, Govt  Suspends Rafting In Kashmir  

Nadeem Nadu                          Rafting

Srinagar: After three deaths in little over a fortnight, the tourism department has ordered a halt on rafting related activities in Kashmir Valley till “proper mechanism put in place”.

“In the interest of administration and safety of tourists, it is hereby ordered that all rafting related activities at all tourist destinations particularly at Pahalgam and Sonmarg shall remain suspended till a proper mechanism / technical guidance is put in place at all such locations. Concerned officers shall ensure implementation of the order in letter and spirit and report compliance,” reads an order issued by Director Tourism Kashmir, a copy of which lies with GNS.

The order comes after three deaths including that of Rouf Ahmad Dar, a tourist guide who sacrificed himself to save the lives of five tourists at Lidder River in Pahalgam on May 31.

On June 18, a tourist employee and a participant of a rafting championship named after Rouf Dar were killed in the same river. (GNS)