Srinagar, Aug 22 (KNO): In a unique protest, Javid Ahmad Khari, a horseman and tourist guide from Yousmarg, along with DPAP leader Nazir Ahmad Yatoo, rode a horse to Raj Bhawan, Srinagar, to highlight the livelihood crisis of pony wallahs in Budgam district.
Khari, representing over 1,500 horse operators, traveled all the way from Budgam’s Dodpathri to seek fodder for his horse and to convey his heartfelt plea to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Khari said he came to Srinagar on behalf of more than 1,500 horsemen to express his concerns to LG Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan.
He said the closure of Yousmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosamaidan has left them struggling to feed their horses and support their families.
“I wanted to show the Lieutenant Governor the plight of my horse. We are struggling to get fodder for them,” Khari told KNO. He added that he had traveled over 50 kilometers from Yousmarg to reach Raj Bhawan, hoping to meet LG Manoj Sinha.
“Unfortunately, I was informed that LG Manoj Sinha was unavailable,” he said.
Khari also mentioned that he represents over 6,000 pony wallahs whose livelihoods depend on tourism. He warned that if the government does not pay attention and reopen these tourist spots, he and all the horsemen will march from Doodhpathri to Raj Bhawan in the coming days and sit there until their voices are heard.
Accompanying him, Nazir Ahmad Yatoo, DPAP leader, said they wanted to meet the LG to show the condition of Javid Ahmad Khari and highlight the plight of the poor horse.
Meanwhile, with tourism halted in key destinations after the April Pahalgam terror attack, many pony operators are struggling to survive. Khari also said he has no alternative income or agricultural land.
“Our savings are exhausted. Immediate reopening of these destinations is the only way to save our families and our horses,” he said, adding that he has three young children at home and that his plight must be heard at least once—(KNO)