Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Apr 23: Leading hoteliers and tourism stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday appealed to national media outlets to refrain from spreading misleading narratives about the recent attack in Pahalgam.
The appeal was made during a press conference held in Srinagar, addressed by prominent figures including Tariq Gani, Mushtaq Chaya, and Manzoor Wangnoo and others.
They stressed that no tourist has ever been harmed in Kashmir in the past, and the entire local tourism community shares the grief of those affected by the recent incident.
“We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families. All stakeholders—hoteliers, tour and travel operators, houseboat owners, and shikara walas—are deeply saddened. Whether they are from Kashmir or outside, we are all united in this grief,” said one of the speakers.
The hoteliers said they had voluntarily called for a shutdown in protest and solidarity. “Today’s hartal showed what ‘Kashmiriyat’ really means. Every shop in Shehr-e-Khaas was closed. We condemn the incident wholeheartedly,” they said.
They also made it clear that the act was not committed by any local. “We want the world to know that Kashmiris are not responsible for this. We have been providing free food and accommodation to the remaining tourists here since yesterday as a gesture of humanity,” they added.
The hoteliers appealed to tourists to continue visiting Kashmir and experience its hospitality. “You will not be charged a single penny. We want to maintain our bond with you,” they said.
“We also request the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and form an inquiry committee. We are respectful people and do not want our image to be tarnished,” they added.
Manzoor Wangnoo urged everyone not to give the incident a communal angle or politicize it. “Let us respond with humanity. Only those who have daughters understand the pain. Let us not turn this into something divisive,” he said.
Meanwhile, the tourism stakeholders personally invited people across the country and the world to visit Kashmir and witness the warmth and hospitality of its people.
