Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has ordered security forces deployed in the Kashmir valley to immediately vacate the hotels, schools and other public and private properties they have occupied.
He approved an amount of Rs 9crore for construction of alternate and permanent accommodation for army, paramilitary and police personnel so that their 'presence doesn't hamper tourism, education and other developmental activities in Kashmir'.
The instructions were issued during a meeting the chief minister chaired to review the working of the state police department.
"The meeting discussed threadbare the situation arising out of the continued occupation of hotels, educational institutions and other public facilities by security forces," an official spokesman said in Srinagar. The state is paying a substantial sum as rental for these properties.
The chief minister wants hotels on the Boulevard on the banks of Dal Lake to be vacated first, at least by January 2005.
"The owners of these hotels should get enough time to renovate their properties in time for the ensuing tourist season," an official statement said.