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| West Bengal Tourism Minister calls on CM | | Kashmiris are real symbol of secularism and all are hurt on killing of WB tourists: Azad | | Srinagar, July 13– West Bengal Tourism Minister Mr. Manabendra Mukherjee, who is on a visit to Srinagar alongwith Principal Secretary Tourism Mr. G. D. Gautam, called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad here today.
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 Gujarat, West Bengal and Maharashtra tourists are the major component of our tourist arrivals comprising 80 percent. He said it is unfortunate that militants, who are already isolated lot from the society, have started directly hitting our tourist economy and trying to harass the tourists arriving in the valley.
Mr. Azad expressed his deep concern on cancellation of bookings and returning back of tourists in view of grenade attacks.
The Chief Minister assured West Bengal Tourism Minister that people of Kashmir are the real protectors of tourists and some few gun-wielding elements out to destroy our economy are not representing Kashmir as a whole.
Mr. Azad told Mr. Mukherjee that it may be noted that the people caught a militant red-handed throwing grenade near Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar and handed over him to police and similarly at Gulmarg, a large number of people chased a militant who was responsible for grenade attack on tourists. He said it is a clear indication that the people have revolted against militancy and each militant is being picked and identified by the people and handed over to the police. 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 that their economy is 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. He said that people of Kolkata already have great emotional ties with the people of Kashmir.
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.
Senior officers of the state government were also present on the occasion.
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