The tourists visiting the Valley from the other states or countries were assisted by the authorities during the flood like situation and the shutdown in the Valley, the officials said.The officials told KNS that a number of tourists who had visited the Valley during the flood like situation and the shutdown were assisted by the authorities while some among the tourists were also provided shelter by the tourism department. The officials said that on Apr 07, a tourist resident of Gwalior namely Rakesh Gupta, son of Ram Babu Gupta was stranded in Srinagar due to the closure of national highway due to incessant rains and flood like situation in valley. “He along with his family was provided shelter after coordinating with local house boat owner. Moreover, a cab was also arranged for the said tourist from Srinagar to Jammu on a nominal rate,” the officials informed.They added that three tourists from Bangladesh identified as Muhammadur Rashid ul Islam, Mohd Hussain ul Islam and Farhat ul Islam arrived in this police station from Srinagar International Airport on Apr 09. They were assisted and given a safe passage up to Hotel Paradise were they had a prior booking.
Officials further said that a group of tourists from Amritsar arrived at Srinagar International Airport on Apr 09 and they were assisted in booking a hotel in Srinagar. “They were also provided information/assistance as they had to visit Khir Bhawani Temple next day. The group visited the temple and were provided safe passage up to airport on Apr 10 and the officials of tourist police at Srinagar International Airport assisted them in getting boarding passes hassle free,” the officials added. During the recent unrest in Kashmir, a Thailand national identified as Rinyach Al Sarthitorn Kitty was provided necessary medical treatment at Khyber Hospital during the mid of night on Apr 09 when she was staying at Hotel Grand Mumtaz Srinagar and had complained of pain in her left ear. The hotel manager Imtiyaz along with the personnel of Tourist Police accompanied the said lady up to Khyber Hospital and back to the hotel. On Apr 10, a Thailand national namely Prasan Braseng, son of Naocharoan Wong age 72 Years bearing Passport No. AA 7622468 was provided assistance at Gulmarg when he along with a group of 35 Thailand nationals reached Gulmarg. They were provided necessary information/assistance/help while checking in Hotel Vintage Gulmarg.
On Apr 10, an Australian national identified as Kapila Tailor Passport no. N1422914 was staying at Hotel Heemal near Dal Lake and she requested assistance for providing her information regarding the Tourist Destinations in valley where she along with her family could visit. The said lady visited Sonamarg and came back safely along with her family only after she was provided proper information/assistance by the tourist police.On Apr 11, one tourist identified as Sumita Patil, wife of Lt. Ratnakar Patil, resident of Pune died of natural death at Pahalgam. She was accompanied by her daughter Prajakta Patil who was assisted in getting post mortem and other legalities done by concerned PS. One HC of TPP Pahalgam was deputed along with the dead body of the deceased tourist in order to provide necessary assistance to the daughter of the deceased tourist. The Tourist police deputed at Srinagar Airport were also put in action and necessary assistance was provided to the daughter of the deceased tourist in providing her help/support enroute Anantnag up to her departure towards Delhi at Srinagar Airport. On Apr 13, a group of 21 Tourists from Hazel Tour & Travel Mumbai lead by one Yogesh Chander sought help from Tourist Police on reaching Gulmarg when one lady namely Amisha Shah, wife of Uday Shah, resident of Mumbai among the said group required urgent medical assistance. The Tourist Police personal officials provided necessary help to the said lady staying at Hotel HillTop Gulmarg. On Apr 13, one Jaswinder Singh, son of Darshan Singh, resident of 163 Urban Estate Phase-1 Ludhiana Punjab Age 50 years fell down due to slip in Pahalgam injuring his left Ankle. The Tourist Police officials present at Pahalgam provided him necessary help and medical assistance. (KNS)