Tourists suffer most due to restrictions, strike in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 7 : Tourists suffered the most due to restrictions and strike in the summer capital, Srinagar, today on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Tourists staying in house boats in the world famous Dal Lake and hotels and guest houses on Boulevard road, on the bank of the water body, remained confined in their rooms as no vehicle was allowed to enter the area by the security forces in view of PM's visit.

Official sources said tourists, through their houseboat and hotel owners, had been directed to leave their room for other tourist spots before 0630 hrs in the morning.

Similarly they have been directed to return after 2200 hrs in the night.

''We do not want to stay in areas which look like a security force camp,'' a tourist said to UNI adding they decided to shift to Zero bridge area where things look normal.

''We had planned to visit Sonamarg today. But we were informed by the driver that he was not being allowed to enter the area from Dalgate,'' the visitors from Punjab said.

They said majority tourists remained confined in their houseboats and hotel rooms because of restrictions.

However, some lucky tourists managed to leave the area early in the morning for different spots.

In other areas the tourists face a problem as all restaurants and dhabas remained closed due to strike, called by breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) against the visit of the Prime Minister.