Tarigami concerned over cancellations by tourists in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 2 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today expressed disappointment and concern over several cancellations by tourists reported in the Valley yesterday.

''Where does all this lead us to?'' he asked.

Mr Tarigami asserted that the state's economy which had shown signs of revival during the past few years was deliberately shattered by the elements inimical to the Kashmiri society.

In a statement here, he strongly condemned the recent attacks on visitors in the Valley, saying such incidents were ''contrived machinations to bluster the tourism industry in the state throwing thousands of people into starvation.'' The CPI(M) leader expressed shock over the incidents in which several tourists lost their lives.

Mr Tarigami appealed to the peace-loving people to fight back perpetrators of such incidents aimed at destroying the social fabric and rich cultural heritage of the state.

He said the people directly linked with tourism should fight tooth and nail all such ''cowardice acts'' ''Being our lifeline, we should do everything possible to save the tourism industry,'' the CPI(M) leader added.

He called upon the government to ensure such incidents do not upset the tourism sector in the state and urged it to provide maximum security to the visitors in the Valley.

UNI AG YA HT1455