Outrage in Valley after tourist’s death, CM ‘heart-broken’

SRINAGAR: Two deaths in the span of 24 hours left Kashmir shaken even as they highlighted the worsening situation in the state.

Even as the state was coming to grips with the death of a young tourist from Chennai, S Thirumani (22), on Monday evening, from injuries sustained when his vehicle came under attack by stone-pelters, another young man, 17-year-old Mohammad Iqbal, injured in firing in the state’s Shopian area on Sunday, succumbed to injuries in hospital.

Thirumani was an employee of IT company Accenture in Chennai. Iqbal had recently appeared in Class 10 board exams. His family ran a small grocery shop.

Mainstream politicians including the state’s CM and Opposition leaders as well as separatists have reacted with contempt against the perpetrators, while social media, despite the suspension of mobile internet in the region since Saturday,

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Heartbreaking when a family saves for years to realise their dream of visiting Kashmir... and face their worst nightmare. MEHBOOBA MUFTI, J&K CM

was awash with regret.

“Tourists are our guests and we should be loyal to our Kashmiri traditions by refraining from harassing them,” said separatists in a statement.

Meanwhile, Mehbooba has called an all-party meeting to discuss political situation in the state on Wednesday.