Srinagar
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday late evening suspended water rafting in the Kashmir till proper mechanism put in place.
An order issued by the director tourism said till a proper safety mechanism is put in place rafting in Kashmir valley will remain suspended.
“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 Sonamarg 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 the order.
The suspension order was issued after two fatal accidents occurred during rafting expeditions in the Lidder stream of Pahalgam area in which three persons were killed.
Earlier on June 1, a tourist guide, Rouf Ahmad Dar died while saving the five tourists during a rafting accident in Lidder. Two people including a tourism department employee were killed on June 18 in another rafting accident in Pahalgam.
