Srinagar: The killing of a non local from Chennai in a stone pelting incident in Narbal area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district has been widely condemned in the valley, with both mainstream politicians and the separatist leaders criticising the attack that took place on Monday.
The victim has been identified as Thirumani, from Southern Indian State Chennai. The incident invited widespread condemnation.
Mehbooba Mufti
“My head hangs in shame,” was all that she could tell the family,” Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
She added: “Its truly heartbreaking when a family saves for years to realise their dream of visiting Kashmir & while they are here they face their worst nightmare. I have no words strong enough to condemn this tragic incident or even begin to condole the family. Without a sustained, meaningful dialogue & outreach, not just from the govt but from the entire country, J&K will get pushed deeper into this vortex of gloom. My deepest condolences to the deceased’s family & my prayers go out to the girl who was injured in the same incident.
Omar Abdullah
“We have killed a tourist by throwing stones at the vehicle he was travelling in. Let’s try and wrap our heads around the fact that we stoned a tourist, a guest, to death while we glorify these stone pelters and their methods,” Omar said and added: “This young man from Chennai died in my constituency & while I don’t support these goons, their methods or their ideology I’m deeply, deeply sorry that this happened at all & that too in an area I’ve been proud to represent since 2014.”
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
Senior separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said: “Deeply saddened by the news of death of a tourist due to stone pelting. Condemn such hooliganism and rowdiness.
It is totally against our ethos of treating tourists as respected guests and brings a bad name to the peoples’ movement.”
Joint Resistance Leadership
Joint Resistance Leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik while expressing grief over the death of Channai tourist and injuries to a local lady said that such incident bring bad name to the Kashmir Movement.
They said that such incidents provide an opportunity to enemy to present our Movement in bad light across globe. “We clarify and reiterate that tourists are our esteemed guests and in no way they should be harassed. We appeal people particularly to youth to maintain discipline and never indulge in anything that could defame our Movement which we have irrigated with sacred blood,” they said.
Tassaduq Mufti
Minister for Tourism, Tassaduq Hussain Mufti Tuesday expressed deep shock over the death of R Thirumani, a tourist from Chennai, in a stone pelting incident at Narbal.
The Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family while visiting them in PCR Hospital here.
Calling such incidents as an assault on the age-old tradition of Kashmiri hospitality, Mufti called for a public movement against such elements who are hell-bent on snatching the livelihood of lakhs of Kashmiris and bringing disrepute to the whole community.
Mufti said many recent surveys have revealed Kashmir as one of the safest tourist destinations in the world due to a very low crime rate, particularly the crime against women. “Yet when in such an environment, sporadic incident like this happens, it has the potential to undo the good work of many decades together and reinforce a very negative perception about Kashmir.”
The Minister requested all stockholders associated with the tourism industry to come forward and become ‘guardians’ of guests so that the true message of peace and warmth goes out from Kashmir.
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami
MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami Tuesday said that such unfortunate and condemnable incidents send a worong message which ultimately damages the interests of the people of the state. Whose ‘cause’ is fulfilled by such brutal killings, he asked.
“At a time when the people of Kashmir are facing tought times what is required is utmost restraint and wisdom to garner more support from the people and civil society of the coutry so as to put pressure on the authorities to listen to the legitimate voices of the people of Kashmir.Unfortunately such acts only serve the interests of those who want to undermine and ignore the democratic aspiration of Jammu and Kashmir,” Tarigami said.
MLA Nirmal Singh
MLA Billawar, Dr Nirmal Singh has expressed deep shock and grief over the death of R Thirumani, a tourist from Chennai, in a stone pelting incident at Narbal.Dr Singh has conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Strongly condemning the act, Dr Nirmal Singh called upon all stakeholders to stand in unison to thwart the nefarious designs of elements hell bent to effect peace in state and its old age tradition of hospitality.
