IED explosion scares visitors’ in valley

Srinagar: The IED explosion in the heart of Srinagar city, which killed religious leader and President Jamiat Ahli Hadees Moulana Showkat Hussain yesterday, has scared the visitors.
The killing took place at a time, when tourist rush was picking up in valley and normalcy has nearly returned to the valley after the last year summer unrest.
The incident of violence has once again given rise to the fear in the minds of visitors. On deserted boulevard road along the banks of Dal Lake, visitors were spotted moving in groups along banks of famous Dal Lake. Despite private transport and taxis on the roads, most of visitors preferred to stay put at hotels and houseboats.
“Guests did not move out of the hotel since morning. They were watching news on television until late evening yesterday. They stayed in-door throughout the day today apparently due to the fear created by the bomb blast yesterday,” said a hotel manager at boulevard road adding that since past few days they used to move out in the morning and return to hotel late evening.
Most of the visitors including foreigners preferred to stay put at houseboats and few were seen taking shikara rides.
“We preferred to stay put indoors as there is a strike today. The eerie calm prevailing in the city due to gruesome killing has rendered atmosphere sick and dull though there is some movement on roads,” said Mahesh Kumar of Maharashtra.While as the passenger transport was off the roads in the city, the strike did not affect the movement of private vehicles. CRPF and police personnel were seen patrolling the deserted boulevard road as most of shops remained closed.   Reports said that the health resorts- Gulmarg and Pahalgam witnessed good number of tourists enjoying amid pleasant weather conditions. The incident of violence seemingly had little or no impact at these tourist resorts.
Much to the delight of locals and visitors, Asia’s largest tulip garden in the foothills of Zabarwan range was thrown open for visitors on April 1.The garden witnessed tremendous rush of visitors since it was thrown up and it is hoped that the rush will multiply manifold in days to come.