Hotel room occupancy likely to be hit in aftermath of murder bid

Room occupancy is likely to be hit in hotels and guest houses for the next few days after abortive assassination bid on Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal in the Golden Temple complex here on Wednesday.

Hoteliers said the incident shook confidence of the people in the security arrangements at the holy city in general and around the Golden Temple in particular. Piyush Kapoor, vice president, Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHARA), said the incident would tarnish the image of security arrangements in the city. Being a tourist destination, any such incident, especially involving a high-profile politician, would adversely impact the flow of tourists in the days to come.

Without security check, Narain Singh Chaura managed to gain entry into the Golden Temple with a pistol, which was a matter of concern, said Gurinder Singh Johal, a tourist guide, whose many customers come from Europe.

It is customary among foreign tourists to ask for safety arrangements at the place of eminence before paying a visit. There would be little impact on the flow of devotees who come to pay obeisance at the holiest Sikh shrine, he said.

Tourists with deep pockets would think twice before visiting the holy city as the incident would give them impression that when the security of a high-profile leader like Sukhbir could be compromised then what would be the fate of common people and tourists.

Keeping in view the inflow of tourists at the Golden Temple, he suggested that high-profile politicians awarded “Tankah” should perform sewa in other gurdwaras situated in the periphery of the holiest Sikh shrine.