SRINAGAR: Senior leader of the pro-India National Conference party in Kashmir, Mustafa Kamal has said the government should develop Tosa Maidan meadow, at present used by the Army as a firing range, as a tourist spot.
The government has leased out the meadow to the army and the agreement is nearing expiry.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently told legislators that scores of residents had died due to unexploded shells in the area.
However his government has in the recent past suggested that it plans to renew the agreement despite stiff opposition from local residents and separatists.
Kamal said the lease should not not be extended as there are many places outside the state which can be utilized for artillery firing exercises.
“The tourism contributes a lot in our economy and such places could be utilized as the tourist destinations so that the problem of un-employment is the state could be resolved to some extent.”
Kamal said that the Gondola cable car corporation has the project that connects it with the sunset peak located at Tosa Maidan and ends at Tangmarg. “I believe that the pending project shall be completed after the problem is resolved.”
He added that in the coming time the state government will take the issue of Tosa Maidan besides the issue of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) at the highest level.
Senior separatist Leader Syed Ali Geelani has also asked the authorities not to extend the agreement.
