Jammu and Kashmir [Images] Chief Minister Ghulam [Images] Nabi Azad said that the tourist arrival in the Valley has witnessed a significant decline after the recent militant attacks on visitors as the figure has come down to 400-500 from 6000-7000 per day.

Addressing a conclave of Air Force sector commanders in Srinagar [Images], he said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was changing fast and the faith of the people in democracy had increased as evident from the April 24 bypolls in the state, which recorded voting percentage above the national average.

Azad said the people have realised that militants were targeting their economic resources. "At the beginning of the ongoing season, 6,000 to 7,000 tourists arrived daily in the Valley which helped to a large extent in restoration of normal activities. But, the militants targeted tourists resulting in a significant drop in tourist arrival which has come down to 400 to 500 per day," Azad said.

The chief minister said the people have rejected perpetrators of violence and were playing an active role in construction and development programmes.