Srinagar: People from across Kashmir have come out strongly against the recent attacks on tourists, which killed four people and injured several others.
The general sentiment in the Valley is that these attacks sponsored by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) are against Kashmiri ethos.
And why not, everything seemed so normal in Kashmir. The state received a record number of visitors this year.
Last year also it was very good, and everyone was happy, the tourists, the locals, who depend on tourism and the state government, which earns a major source of revenue through tourism.
If experts are to be believed, the bomb attacks this time should be seen in isolation to other acts of terrorism in the state earlier, for these took place not near any government installations, but in the vicinity of the tourist hotspots.
Increasingly becoming aware that the local populace no longer espoused their cause of waging war against the Centre, or sympathised with them, terrorists decided to launch an attack that would cripple the state's economy.
The attack on tourists would deter visitors and destroy Kashmir's source of livelihood.
"Tourism was never a target but this incidence is very sorrowful. We wish this does not happen again. We in Kashmir Valley depend on tourism for our livelihood," said Tourism Director Farooq Ahmed Shah.
"This is a shameful incidence, which should be condemned by one and all. This state is dependent on tourism. People of Jammu, Srinagar and Ladakh would be in deep sorrow because of this and must be condemning it. This is an attack on our means of daily bread," said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and patron of National Conference Farooq Abdullah.
Local residents also believe that the attacks were aimed to kill and strangulate Kashmir's economy, its culture and the very notion of Kashmiriyat.
With more attacks and less tourists, sources of income will dissipate and people may have to leave the Valley in search of jobs elsewhere. Kashmir may as well become a 'Kashmir without any Kashmiris'.
"Lakhs of tourist come here. We request the terrorist not to cause any harm to them. Tourists are our means of livelihood, and this will stop if tourists stop coming here," said Gul Mohammad, a Shikara boatsman.
"The attack on tourist is not right. Business in the Valley is based on tourism. Shikarawala, houseboat owners, photographers, workers associated with Kashmiri art all are dependent on tourism. The terror attacks should not happen. The industry in the Valley is based on tourism. Everything is because of the tourism," said Saurabh Shukla, a local resident.
But, tourists are a fearless lot. Bombs or no bombs, if they have to come to Kashmir, they will come, whatever the price and whatever the danger.
"We have no fear because of the attack. We have come here with open heart. All the areas are bubbling. We got the houseboat with a lot of difficulty. We are really enjoying our time out here," said Umesh Singh a tourist.
"We four family members have come here to spend our holidays. We do not feel frightened because of the terrorist attack. During the last four days we saw Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other places. We did not come across anything like this happening," said Shweta Bansal, another tourist.
However, they too are of the opinion that a few more attacks of the like, and the situation will again be like when militancy was at its height in the Valley.
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