Srinagar: In a series of steps to restore peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government is planning to re-open cinema halls in the Valley after a span of 30 years.

Sources told MyNation that governor Satya Pal Malik has accepted the proposal. The process of re-introduction of cinema to Kashmir has begun.

"The governor has given his consent for establishing cinema halls in the Valley. The process of bidding is likely to commence within 15 days,” the source added.
 
Malik, in quite a few interviews, stated that the absence of entertainment sources in Kashmir Valley was one of the reasons the youth were getting dragged to radicalisation.

The governor said that he was interested in the opening of a cinema theatre in the Valley so that the people could enjoy the latest Bollywood movies and spend some quality time.

Cinema hall owners in the Valley attempted to reopen theatres in 1999. The three cinema halls, which accepted the offer and attempted to re-open the halls, had to shut shop after terror attacks in the region.
 
On September 24, 1999, a grenade explosion killed a person and wounded many outside a cinema hall located at the city centre.
 
 Before the outbreak of terrorism in Kashmir, cinema halls were one of the big businesses in the Valley. There were nine single-screen theatres in Srinagar.