Srinagar, Dec 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the Centre cannot claim normalcy in the Union Territory unless tourist destinations closed after the Pahalgam attack earlier this year are reopened. He also called for a review of the decision to shut several tourist spots following the incident.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating Asia’s longest ski drag lift at Gulmarg, Abdullah said the elected government can only build or upgrade tourism-related infrastructure, while decisions on the closure of tourist destinations are not within its domain.

Following the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration had closed several tourist spots citing security concerns.

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