The state administration’s August 3 security advisory asking tourists as well as Amarnath Yatris to leave Kashmir as soon as possible has sparked panic even among the Kashmiris. From the last few weeks, rumours were doing rounds that something big was going to happen and that the centre was planning to make a major announcement on Jammu and Kashmir While some rumours suggested that the Centre was likely to issue a presidential order to strike down Article 35 A of the constitution that provides exclusive rights over land and government jobs to the state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir, others suggest that the state is likely to be trifurcated with Jammu getting the status of a full fledged state while Kashmir and Ladakh regions will be designated as union territories. No one knows what is going to happen but the rumours have got credence with the additional deployment of first 10000 troops which was followed by 28000 more troops. While the orders for their deployment indicate that it is for “strengthening counter insurgency grid” and dealing with imminent “law and order” situation, the state machinery has struggled to offer convincing answer to the need for extra deployment of central paramilitary troopers, most of whom are going to be posted in Kashmir Valley. With the state home ministry’s security advisory, the situation has got all the more panicky. Long queues of customers are seen outside fuel stations across Kashmir. In anticipation of a long period of unrest in the Valley, people have started stocking essentials like rice, dals and even medicines. While the people of the Valley have faced such exigencies before and they have over these years of turmoil mastered the art of survival in tough times, non-locals in Kashmir, and especially tourists and Amarnath pilgrims, have been left to fend for themselves. Those who had come to spend some good time with their families in Kashmir, away from the scorching heat of plains in mainland India, are gripped by panic. The security advisory has caused confusion with tourists especially looking to pre-pone their departure from Kashmir in view of the security threats. The state administration can’t allow the situation to go out of control. Tourists should be treated with dignity and respect. They can’t be thrown out like garbage. The Governor’s administration must facilitate the process for those tourists who have come to Kashmir for vacations and intend to leave urgently by getting transport owners and airline operators on board and rescheduling their departure. Tourists come to Kashmir so that they can leave with some beautiful memories. Let’s not make it horrifying for them.