Srinagar, July 17: Despite tense situation prevailing in the Valley, Yatris have been enjoying a hassle-free journey to Amarnath cave and find the transit at Srinagar most hospitable even though the summer capital has been on boil for most part of this month against killing of 15 youth.
 As restrictions and protests continue, a group of Yatris staying in the famed Dal Lake, who spoke to Greater Kashmir, said they have been here for past four days and found the people very generous. And the stay comfortable.
 “We feel everyone projects Kashmir and its people negatively.  But the fact is that despite tense situation nobody has touched us since our arrival here… At few places we were irked by police and CRPF,” said a New Delhi based businessman Sri Prashad as he walked the Boulevard with his group mates.
 The pilgrims said even though there was Hartal but no civilian hampered their movement.
 “At several places protestors provided our vehicle safe passage,” Prasad said. 
 Referring to his colleague Yatri falling ill at the houseboat, Prasad said: “Only last night Rajeev fell sick and the owner of the houseboat was so generous that he moved out and brought some medicine.  It is impossible to find such hospitably in any other state.”
 But they have some reservations against national media saying “It portrays Kashmir negatively.”
 “Our families often call us after watching news on TV channels which sensationalize the situation here. We too carried the same notion till we were touched by this generosity of the Kashmiris,” the Yatris said.
 Since June 15 despite all unrest, 1.53 lakh pilgrims have visited the Amarnath cave while many a Yatri took transit at Srinagar as they preferred to pay homage at the ShahkarAcharya and the Hanuman temples in the City.
 The Yatris lashed the “rumor mongers for fearing a possible attack on the pilgrims.”
 “Such elements want to give a communal flare to this situation,” the pilgrims opine. 
 “This should be avoided as it brings disrepute for the good people of Kashmir,” they said.
 On the ongoing turmoil in the Valley, they said “We are saddened to see this beautiful Valley turned into battlefield. We heard of killings and these should be stopped. We don’t know the politics behind this all but with human heart we feel the pain of Kashmiris.”
 He and his counterparts, all males, have been enjoying the stay in the Dal lake.
 The Yatris said they would love to be ambassadors of Kashmir in asking their nears and dears to visit Srinagar, a place where houseboat owner doesn’t care for his life and goes out to bring medicines for the guest!.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST