Srinagar these days?

mre2b9

how is it?

-m2-

A google (news) search on 'violence in Srinagar' turned up a lot of stories from this week reporting several separate incidents of violence and death, though none involving tourists as far as I could tell (I didn't read all the stories).

mre2b9

I found this informative article. Anyone else have any information?



Financial Times Information
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Business Line


June 25, 2003

HEADLINE: KASHMIR: WHAT LIES BENEATH


Tourists are coming back to Kashmir, lifting spirits and the economy. The militants are lying low for now, perhaps because of Operation Sarp Vinash. But all is not as placid as the waters of the Dal Lake, and there are undercurrents that one has to guard against, as Rasheeda Bhagat finds out from Omar Abdullah in Srinagar.

ON ALL counts, things in the Kashmir Valley seem to be looking up. The trickling in of tourists, mostly domestic , which began a couple of months ago, is becoming a steady flow. Evening finds shikaras moving gently on the Dal Lake, tourists enjoying the Valley's spectacular beauty after a long while. The houseboats are getting customers, though they have had to halve their rates. The return of the tourist means that fewer people are clamouring for government jobs, as the Kashmir economy offers scope for little more. The confidence is slowly coming back that Srinagar, Pahlegam or Gulmarg are safe enough to visit. And what better proof of this than the sight of several army and paramilitary officers turning out with their families to take rides in the shikaras on Dal Lake, although guarded by a gun-toting security persons? Perhaps, the credit goes to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's visits to various cities, and holding road shows, urging tourists to return to the Valley; businessmen and industrialists to invest in the State, and even Bollywood to revive its romance with Kashmir.

Full Article at
http://www.blonnet.com/2003/06/25/st...2500070800.htm

admin edit-please do not post full copy and pasted news articles

-m2-

last month there were several 'happy talk' articles about the improving situation in Kashmir, an example of which you quoted. I suggested that you check the current news, such as this July 15th report from CNN:

Deaths Break Kashmir Lull: In a sudden escalation of violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, at least 17 people have been killed.........

http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/as...hmir.violence/

if you are considering a trip to Kashmir, I suggest you keep abreast of current developments especially around the time you are leaving so that you can alter your plans if the situation doesn't look very good.

Alan D

Breaking news

There has been a serious attempt to "talk up" the tourist industry in Kashmir in recent weeks. Things are not as safe as some people would have us believe.

You might like to read this

Five killed in blast at Hindu shrine

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JAMMU, India (Reuters) - At least five pilgrims have been killed and 20 wounded after suspected rebels set off bombs near one of India`s most revered Hindu shrines in Kashmir, a police official said.

"Five people have been killed and 20 injured. The blasts have been caused by improvised explosive devices," the official said.

He said the blasts took place in Katra near the Vaishno Devi shrine, 30 miles from Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir. They hit a community kitchen where most of the pilgrims were having their dinner.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which occurred at a time when security has been stepped up for the annual pilgrimage to Armanath, another Hindu mountain cave shrine in Kashmir, which began earlier this month.

Rebels have attacked the Amarnath pilgrimage in the past.

Violence has continued unabated in Kashmir despite a thaw in relations between India and Pakistan. New Delhi accuses Islamabad of stoking the 14-year rebellion in Kashmir in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan denies the charge.

Indian officials say at least 38,000 people have died since the revolt against its rule broke out in late 1989. Separatist groups say the toll is more than double that.

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Sorry Mike, couldn't get the url to work.

__________________
What a long strange trip it's been!

mre2b9

Also found the recent report below at http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/me...ntid=0&from=12


Cquirk
Posted: 16 Jul,
4:19am (NEW!)
Srinagar is fantastic

We just spent a few days in Srinigar and I have to say it is one of the few places in India I wish I could have stayed longer and would come back to. A houseboat on Nageen lake (Dal Lake is pretty heavily touristed by Indians) is simply not to be missed. The upsides:

Very few western tourists and none of that hippy-dippy schlock that permeates every other indian city. That'll change soon enough.
Lots of trees and parks in the city, and fantastic scenery around the lakes;
Extremely friendly people, and relatively few hassles;
Days spent exploring the floating fields, early morning vegetable markets and marshes on a shikara;
We stayed in an immaculate houseboat for 500 r, inlcuding breakfast and dinner for 2. It was like staying at Grandma's house, if grandma was married to a mid-level raj bureaucrat. It was run by the nicest, most helpful guys -- highly recommend it. Superior Group of Houseboats.
Beautiful old city with decaying 500 y/o wood buildings that aren't going to be around much longer.
You can disobey LP, which says DON'T GO! So very rebellious. You have to figure everything out for your very own self!