Indian police move to undermine Kashmir’s tourism-driven economy
New Delhi tightens grip on IIOJK hotels, homestays through sweeping FIRs
Srinagar: In a fresh display of New Delhi’s increasing control over economic activity in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police have booked multiple hotels, a homestay and several houseboats for alleged violations of Form-C reporting norms under the Immigration & Foreigners Act — a move locals describe as part of a broader strategy to weaken Kashmiri-owned businesses.
According to Kashmir Media Service, police have lodged five FIRs across Srinagar for allowing foreign tourists to stay without notifying the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO). Hoteliers and traders say such aggressive policing is designed to intimidate local business owners and shrink their share of the tourism economy under the pretext of “security compliance.”
In Rajbagh, Hotel Blossoms, Hotel Grand MS and Hotel Golden Forest were targeted for accommodating foreign visitors without filing Form-C. Police registered a case at Police Station Rajbagh.
A separate case was also lodged against Hotel Khyber in Khanyar for alleged non-compliance.
In Lal Bazar, IMY Home Stay at Nowabagh Bagwanpora, owned by Mohammad Aslam Baktoo, was booked for allowing a foreigner, Mr Starobinsky Lior, and others to stay without submitting the online Form-C. Police filed a case against the owner.
In Nishat, house owner Mohammad Ashraf Zargar of Vakeel Colony, Brein, was booked for similar reasons, leading to registration of a case Zargar.
At Ram Munshi Bagh, iconic houseboats — Floating Castle, Best View, Crystal Palace and Lake Palace — were booked on the same charge of violating Form-C norms for guests from Taiwan, Russia, Romania and Spain.
Tourism operators say the occupation authorities have weaponised minor administrative lapses to justify punitive action against local businesses, forcing them into financial strain and discouraging tourist inflow. They add that such measures form part of a calculated attempt to bring the sector under direct control of outsiders aligned with New Delhi.
