People in Kashmir revolt against militants, Azad

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Srinagar, July 13: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that the people in Kashmir are opposing militancy and each militant is being identified by the people and handed over to the police.

Expressing deep concern on the cancellation of tourists bookings following grenade attacks, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that some elements, isolated by the people, are now trying to destroy the economy.

Mr Azad assured West Bengal's Tourism Minister Manabendra Mukherjee who called on him here today that people of Kashmir are the real protectors of tourists. ''However, a few gun wielding elements who are not representing Kashmir as a whole, are out to destroy our economy,'' he added.

Mr Azad told Mr Mukherjee how the people caught a militant handed attempting to throw grenade near Tourist Reception Centre here and handed over him to police. Similarly at Gulmarg, a large number of people chased a militant who was responsible for grenade attacks on tourists.

He said that a new trend of open cooperation of general public with the police authorities is a clear proof that people do not want their economy further damaged.

''They have already suffered during last 17 years and the time when tourist boom is on its peak, the hidden hands of militancy are working against people of Kashmir,'' he added.

Mr Azad assured West Bengal Tourism Minister that people of Kashmir are real symbol of secularism and have always maintained high traditions of hospitality.

The West Bengal Tourism Minister expressed deep gratitude to the people of Kashmir who have openly come in support of the tourists from West Bengal. He said that he was impressed to note that Kashmiris donated blood to save the lives of injured tourists and medical staff as well as other concerned departments worked round the clock to attend them.

He said that he will convey these sentiments to the West Bengal Chief Minister and the people of that state.

Mr Mukherjee said that thousands of Shawlwalas, Pheriwalas and carpet traders, who are operating in West Bengal, have maintained high and good reputation of Kashmir and are being respected in that state.

He told Mr Azad that he is convinced that the majority of the people of Kashmir are highly secular, most hospitable and people friendly.

He said majority of West Bengal tourists, who have come here to spend their holidays, are not only praising the heavenly beauty of Kashmir but are also all praise for people as a whole, therefore, these stray incidents in which West Bengal tourists have died, will not affect the strong ties between the people of Kashmir and West Bengal.

Mr Azad expressed his anguish and deep sorrow over the killing of seven West Bengal tourists and injuries to several others in a Srinagar grenade attack on Tuesday and also injuring of a West Bengal tourist couple in a grenade attack at Gulmarg yesterday.

The Chief Minister said that people from Gujarat, West Bengal and Maharashtra are the major component of the tourist arrivals and comprise eighty percent of them.

UNI

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