Srinagar, June 14: After a mesmerizing Shikara ride in Dal Lake, Manjeet Singh, a tourist from Chandigarh guided his family towards the Boulevard on Monday. But he did not react on seeing the deserted roads or closed shops.
 “I believe that we and other tourists should not mind inconvenience due to the strike as it’s against the killing of an innocent teenager by police,” Manjeet said.
 Pointing towards his new born baby, Manjeet said:  “As a parent I can understand pain of the teenager’s family. We can only condemn the incident and sympathize with the City people particularly the victim’s family.”
 However, Manjeet’s wife Ragini praised the locals for their unflinching hospitality. “As the shops were closed, a Shikara owner got milk for my baby from his home. We have been to many places but found people of Kashmir affectionate and helpful. When their loved ones are killed without any provocation, they are left with no option but to stage protests,” she said.
 Like Manjeet, many tourists expressed concern over the teenager, Tufail Ahmad Matoo’s killing. “We were pained to see the unfortunate teenager’s picture on a newspaper. We believe these kinds of incidents are avoidable and the State Government should punish the involved cops” said Rajat Puri, a tourist from New Delhi.
 Vipul Patel, a tourist from Gujrat on his maiden visit to the Valley said the national newspapers and news channels don’t depict the true picture of the Valley. “Only news we hear or read is how many militants were killed in an encounter. Killing of civilians by police or troopers is blacked out. However, during past three days, I had assessed the real situation of the Valley. People here are really at the receiving end,” he said.
 Patel said his relatives and friends have been regularly visiting the Valley. “But they never faced any problems here,” he said.
 Wali Muhammad, who heads the Shikara Owners Association, said the tourists who flock the Dal, keep inquiring about the situation in the Valley. “We tell them the facts and as humans the incidents including killings psychologically affect them,” he said.
 Manzoor Ahmad, junior vice-president of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) said most of the tourists were aware about the events in Kashmir. “The tourists keep track of developments here as they have an emotional association with Kashmir and associate themselves with our sorrows and joys,” Manzoor said adding despite protests and restrictions, the tourists did not face any problem in past three days.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST