22-yr-old Chennai tourist dies in Kashmir stone pelting, leaders condemn the incident
Srinagar, May 7 (IBNS): A group of tourists from Chennai who were traveling in tempos came under attack from stone-pelters on Monday night in Budgam a central district of Kashmir valley, resulting in the death of one tourist and injury of several others.
The incident took place near Narbal Village of Budgam on Monday night at around 8:30 pm.
An unruly mob attacked a tourist cab resulting in injuries of many including two young girls.
All injured were shifted to SKIMS Soura for advanced treatment, where one injured tourist, Thirumani (22), son of Rajwali of Chennai, died.
Soon after the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a murder case at Police Station Magam.
Investigations into the incident have been initiated and culprits involved in the incident may be nabbed soon.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti drove straight to Srinagar Hospital and met the victim's father and condoled the death.
She assured him that culprits will be arrested soon and they will be punished.
In a series of tweets, former chief minister and National Conference president Omar Abdullah wrote "We’ve 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 & their methods.".
"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," Omar added.
"I’m also pained to know that among the injured from the stone pelting in Narbal is a young woman from Handwara in North Kashmir. I pray she & the others injured make a quick recovery."
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.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 7, 2018
"The J&K Govt has failed, the CM has failed, the BJP-PDP alliance has failed. How much blood will have to be shed in Kashmir before the Hon PM realises the gravity of the situation in J&K? When will enough finally be enough?"
Moderate Hurriyat Chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the attack and wrote on Twitter: "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 people's movement,".
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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