Conservative Saudi Arabia's liberal crown prince Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's decision to reopen movie theatres seems to have a rippling effect on J&K. A day after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the prince's decision, a debate on reopening cinema halls has reignited in the terrorism-torn state with reactions flooding the social media.

J&K once boasted of cinemas and a thriving culture of arts and films.

Since 1990, however, as the scourge of terrorism plagued the Valley, silver screen entertainment took a hit. Regal theatre had reopened in 1999 only to be attacked by terrorists with grenades; one kashmiri was killed and 12 injured.

Neelam suffered a similar fate in 2005, when the audience watching Mangal Pandey witnessed the theatre turning into a battleground between the police and terrorists.

Mehbooba tweeted on Tuesday: "I welcome the decision by Saudi Arabia to lift a decade-long ban on cinemas as part of a series of social reforms by the crown prince. Introspection and self-reform are marks of a progressive society."

I welcome the decision by Saudi Arabia to lift a decade-long ban on cinemas as part of a series of social reforms by the crown prince. Introspection & self reform are marks of a progressive society. - Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) December 12, 2017

The CM's tweet triggered a long series of reactions on the microblogging site with supporters maintaining that reopening cinema halls will be a welcome step like opening up sports to the Kashmiri youth.

One user tweeted: "Lets (sic) have cinemas in Kashmir open to public. Kashmiris and visiting tourists also await it."

Another user said, "Cinemas are a way of expressing art and expression, it should be welcomed."

Some Twitter users who don't support the initiative slammed Mehbooba.

"Shame on u (sic) For appreciating this type of decision," said one user while another tweeted: "We condemn it as a Muslim and shame on our cm who represents western culture in Muslim majority state in Indian held Kashmir for her pitty (sic) politics and lust of power to happy her Ally rss, shiv sena."

Though the government does not have plans to open cinema halls, it has asked ordinary citizens to take the initiative.

Cabinet minister Naeem Akhtar, who is in charge of public works, told India Today, "We should open cinema halls and society must take the first step. We will provide security to Kashmiris in the initiative. The government cannot intervene; this is a social ban. Most people anyway watch films at home."

The decrepit theatres are being used as camps for soldiers.

Some Twitter users even questioned Mehbooba's intentions. "lol , when are cinema halls going to open in Kashmir again as part of social reforms madam??? or all these bhashans are for others only? will you have guts enough to screen movies in Kashmir."