[Reader-list] Continuous shutdown hits tourism sector in Kashmir

[Sanjay Khak]

* Continuous shutdown hits tourism sector in Kashmir2010-07-20 16:50:00

The continuous shutdown has adversely affected scores of poor pony owners in
Yousmarg, a tourist spot in the valley.

These pony owners used to earn their livelihood by taking the tourists to
the hills of Yousmarg.

But with the continuous demonstrations and curfews, there has been a
decrease in the number of tourist inflow, which has affected tourism and
allied trade.

Many pony owners believe that if the situation continues like this then they
might have to sell off their ponies to support their families.

"We are almost 500 to 600 pony owners. Due to the shutdown everything has
come to a standstill. Now we are in a situation that to support our families
we may even have sell off our horses," said Gulzar Ahmad, a pony owner.

"The 5,000 families of 500 pony owners are in a miserable condition. But
these leaders would only think about themselves and not of us," he added.

The pony owners further said the leaders do not understand the pain of poor
men and only think about their own benefits.

"Shutdown has affected our business badly and we all are not happy with
ongoing shutdowns. These rich leaders only know how to create problems for
poor people like us," said Gulam Mohi-u-din Wani, a pony owner.

The separatist Hurriyat Conference announced a nine-day protest programme on
July 16 against the atrocities being committed on Kashmiris by the troops.

The programme includes a complete shutdown, protests by Government employees
and sit-ins to be observed by people across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday
and Thursday. (ANI)
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