Srinagar: There is tight security in Srinagar and all schools and colleges in Kashmir are closed after separatists called for a two day strike in Kashmir over the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian. And the shutdown has affected the tourism in Kashmir yet again.
It was honeymoon at Dal Lake for the Singhs of Delhi. The couple arrived last week and have been sightseeing. Wednesday was the day for Pahalgam, but it was not to be.
"We didn't go as everything is shut because of the bandh," said Neeraj Singh.
"We had a Srinagar city trip planned. But due to curfew restrictions, we can't go," said Arshad, another tourist.
For 15 years, terrorism had almost wiped out Kashmir's tourism. The situation started improving only about five years ago.
In 2009, most visitors, fearing trouble during elections, waited for it to get over. Now that they are coming in, the numbers by far is the largest. Houseboats are full and hotels are packed.
The Hurriyat strike seemed to be very badly timed.
"Day before yesterday 3,800 tourists arrived in Kashmir. Yesterday, only 2,600 arrived. Who is hit most by this strike? Poor taxi drivers, house boat owners and shikara men," said J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The shutdown and trouble for last few days has affected the tourist arrivals to Kashmir. Kashmir tourism is caught between a lake and a political hard place yet again.