J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Kashmiris urge ultras not to attack tourists
Srinagar, May 28
People from all across the Valley have come out strongly against the attacks on tourists which killed four persons, including two children and one woman, and injured several others. In video (28k, 56k)

Shikarawalas’ clash claims tourist’s life
Srinagar, May 28
A tourist from Mumbai was killed when a scuffle broke out between two groups of shikarawalas on the Boulevard road on the banks of Dal Lake here last evening, the police said today.

Militant storms into hospital, kills patient
Srinagar, May 28
A militant today stormed into the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, near here, and shot dead an injured person undergoing treatment there.

Two Hizb militants killed in encounter
Srinagar, May 28
Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter in district of Badgam today, a police spokesman said.

Tribune scribe bereaved
Jammu, May 28
Mrs Kamla Kak, mother of Mr M.L. Kak, correspondent of The Tribune, died here early this morning.

Kashmiris urge ultras not to attack tourists
Bilal Butt

Srinagar, May 28
People from all across the Valley have come out strongly against the attacks on tourists which killed four persons, including two children and one woman, and injured several others.

The general sentiment in the Valley is that such attacks, sponsored by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), are against Kashmiri ethos and clearly the doing of an external power, which seeks to hurt Kashmir’s fledgling economy. And why not, everything seemed so normal in Kashmir. The state, synonymous with verdant meadows, snow-capped mountains, pine forests and pristine blue lakes, dotted with houseboats received a record number of visitors this year.

Last year also it was very good, and everyone was happy, the tourists, the locals, who depend on tourism and the state government, which earns a major source of revenue through tourism.

If experts are to be believed, the bomb attacks this time should be seen in isolation to other acts of terrorism in the state earlier, for these took place not near any government installations, but in the vicinity of the tourist hotspots. Increasingly becoming aware that the local populace no longer espoused their cause of waging war against the Centre, or sympathised with them, terrorists decided to launch an attack that would cripple the state’s economy.

The attack on tourists would deter visitors and destroy Kashmir’s source of livelihood.

“Tourism was never a target but this incidence is very sorrowful. We wish this does not happen again. We, in Kashmir valley depend on tourism for our livelihood,” said Tourism Director Farooq Ahmed Shah.

“This is a shameful incidence, which should be condemned by one and all. This state is dependent on tourism. People of Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh would be in deep sorrow because of this and must be condemning it. This is an attack on our means of daily bread,” said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and patron of National Conference Farooq Abdullah.

Local residents also believe that the attacks were aimed to kill and strangulate Kashmir’s economy, its culture and the very notion of Kashmiriyat.

With more attacks and less tourists, sources of income will dissipate and people may have to leave the Valley in search of jobs elsewhere. Kashmir may as well become a ‘Kashmir without any Kashmiris’.

“Lakhs of tourist come here. We request the terrorists not to cause any harm to them. Tourists are our means of livelihood, and this will stop if tourists stop coming here,” said Gul Mohammad, a Shikara boatsman.

“The attack on tourist is not right. Business in the valley is based on tourism. Shikarawala, houseboat owners, photographers, workers associated with Kashmiri art all are dependent on tourism. The terror attacks should not happen. The industry in the valley is based on tourism. Everything is because of the tourism,” said Saurabh Shukla, a local resident.

But, tourists are a fearless lot. Bombs or no bombs, if they have to come to Kashmir, they will come, whatever the price and whatever the danger.

“We have no fear because of the attack. We have come here with open heart. All areas are bubbling. We got the houseboat with a lot of difficulty. We are really enjoying our time out here,” said Umesh Singh a tourist.

“We four family members have come here to spend our holidays. We do not feel frightened because of the terrorist attack. During the last four days we saw Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places. We did not come across anything like this happening,” said Shweta Bansal, another tourist.

However, they too, are of the opinion that a few more attacks of the like, and the situation will again be like when militancy was at its height in the valley.

“It is not right to attack tourists. Tourists are not going to be scared because of these attacks, but more attacks and the situation may change,” Shweta added.

“Tourists are in panic. After the incident in Srinagar, they are all in panic. I am in fear. I was in stress as well. It’s very difficult for us. We pray that our journey is safe and sound,” said Amit Patel, a tourist. — ANI

Shikarawalas’ clash claims tourist’s life

Srinagar, May 28
A tourist from Mumbai was killed when a scuffle broke out between two groups of shikarawalas on the Boulevard road on the banks of Dal Lake here last evening, the police said today.

Ten persons have been arrested in this connection while the tourist’s body has been flown to Mumbai this morning.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Nehru Park police station Mohammad Rafiq said the scuffle broke out between the shikarawalas when a group of tourists from Mumbai wanted to take a boat ride in the lake.

He said Swaran Pal Singh, the group leader of Mumbai tourists, had reached an agreement with Yasin, a shikarawala, for a boat ride in the lake.

However, as the tourist were about to board the boats, a group of shikarawalas from Zabarwan entered into a heated argument with Yasin and others.

Hearing the noise, a tourist, Dhiraj Shah, came out of the nearby Zabarwan hotel and tried to pacify both groups.

As Dhiraj, a drummer with the Tanman music band, was trying to calm down the fighting shikarawalas, he was hit by an oar.

Dhiraj was critically wounded and immediately rushed to the Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital at Rainawari where the doctors declared him dead.

Mr Rafiq said 10 shikarawalas had been arrested while two were absconding. — UNI

Militant storms into hospital, kills patient

Srinagar, May 28
A militant today stormed into the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, near here, and shot dead an injured person undergoing treatment there.

The pistol-borne militant shot at Reyaz Ahmed Shosha, who was under treatment in the SKIMS, Soura, a police spokesman said.

Shosha, a resident of Padshah Masjid, Sopore, in Baramula district and working as an insurance agent, was shot at by militants at Sopore on May 19 and had been admitted to the hospital. — PTI

Two Hizb militants killed in encounter

Srinagar, May 28
Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed in an encounter in district of Badgam today, a police spokesman said.

He said the security forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, on a tip-off, launched an operation at Ratsuna village under Beerwah police station in Badgam district early this morning.

On seeing the forces, the militants opened fire which was effectively retaliated, the spokesman added.

He said two Hizb militants were killed in the gunfight. Two AK rifles, three magazines and 50 cartridges were seized from the slain ultras.

He said the house of Ali Mohammad was partially damaged in the gunbattle. — UNI

Tribune scribe bereaved
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 28
Mrs Kamla Kak, mother of Mr M.L. Kak, correspondent of The Tribune, died here early this morning.

Mrs Kak (91) was a philanthropist and was respected in the Kashmiri Pandit community.

She is survived by two sons. Her other son, Mr.B.L.Kak, is also a journalist.

A large number of political leaders and people from all walks of life attended her cremation this afternoon.

Chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and PDP leader Mufti Sayeed have condoled her death.