Travel agents: Death of Chennai tourist cold-blooded murder

Srinagar, May 8

Advertisement

A day after the killing of a young tourist from Chennai, R Thirumani, during a stone-throwing incident, Valley-based stakeholders said on Tuesday the youth’s death would have a negative impact on the sector while terming it a cold-blooded murder.

When asked whether the incident would affect the footfall in the Valley, Travel Agents’ Association Kashmir (TAAK) president Ashfaq Siddiq said, “Yes, certainly it will have its impact. In fact, the economy, not just the tourism sector, has taken a hit after September 2014 floods.”

“Whosoever has done it is not a well-wisher of Kashmir. It’s a cold-blooded murder,” he said while addressing a press conference along with members of other tourism and travel associations.

However, travel agents said there were no large-scale cancellations as of now. Siddiq also said the tourists in the Valley were “positive.”

Former TAAK president GR Siah said the stakeholders in the past had been striving hard to keep the tourism sector running and were confident of receiving support from all. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate talks with all stakeholders in the Valley ahead of his upcoming visit to the state. — TNS