A Times of India report on Tuesday that said that stone-pelters have turned their anger on tourists a day after 20 people, including four civilians were killed in anti-terror operations in south Kashmir, has now been clarified by the Jammu & Kashmir police.
Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who had shared the Times of India article deleted the tweet soon after people told him that the story was fake.
A tweet by a local journalist, which was subsequently retweeted by the Jammu and Kashmir police also questioned whether the incident was blown out of proportion.
Earlier, the report said that most of the tourists reached Srinagar airport early Tuesday in a bid to escape being stoned by the protestors. Late Sunday night, two buses carrying visitors from Indonesia were pelted with stones near Dal Lake. Prompt action by houseboat owners saved them. Two women tourists from Abu Dhabi had to be hospitalised after suffering head injuries in stone-pelting on their cab.
“In another incident, a 100-strong mob stoned a tourist bus at Awantipora in Pulwama district, injuring two women from UP. The attack took place on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway around 9pm when the bus which was taking tourists on a city tour. Two women were taken to Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar and given first-aid,” the report said.
Meanwhile, hotels across the state have said that they have faced losses due to cancellations. On March 27, J&K tourism minister Tassaduq Hussain Mufti had said the government would take all possible steps to ensure a steady flow of tourists.
Earlier, Kashmir remained paralysed on Monday amid curfew-like restrictions and a shutdown, a day after security forces killed 13 terrorists in three gunfights in which three soldiers and a civilian also died. Three civilians had also been killed and over a hundred injured as mobs clashed with security forces.
Mobile Internet remained suspended in several parts of the Valley to prevent any flare-up. Separatists extended their shutdown by one more day. Shops and business establishments remained closed and traffic was off roads.
Strict restrictions were imposed in South Kashmir and old Srinagar city. The government has closed down the schools, colleges and other educational institutions. Protests rocked Kashmir University as students shouted slogans against the killings.
Police also apprehended JKLF leader Mohammad Yasin Malik and shifted him to Srinagar's Central Jail. Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were placed under house detention and not allowed to lead prayers in absentia for the slain militants and civilians.
With agency inputs
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