Tourists flee as protests swell in Kashmir

Violent clashes in Indian Kashmir sparked by the transfer of land to a Hindu group are scaring away tourists, officials say, despite appeals by Muslim separatists not to target visitors.

Tensions in the scenic region have spiralled in recent days following the state government decision to transfer land to a trust for the construction of accommodation for tens of thousands of Hindu pilgrims making an annual journey to a mountain shrine.

Three Kashmiris have died in police firing and hundreds have been injured in clashes since Monday, evoking memories of widespread anti-India protests that swept the region after a separatist insurgency broke out in 1989.

"Before the trouble broke out, some 10,000 tourists were arriving daily, but now there are no arrivals. People are leaving," said S.M. Sahai, inspector general of police.

The clashes have "hurt our tourism industry badly," he said.

Tourist numbers have been climbing over the past few years, coinciding with a drop in insurgency-related violence thanks to a peace process between India and Pakistan launched in 2004.

Kashmiri separatists view the land transfer as a ploy to settle Indian Hindus in Kashmir, a charge denied by officials, who argue that New Delhi has never encouraged Hindu migration to the disputed Muslim-majority region.

The Indian constitution also prohibits outsiders from buying land in Kashmir.

A tourism official said that up until June 22 nearly 400,000 people had already visited Kashmir in 2008 - the largest number since tourists started returning to the region.

And there are still months left of the tourist season, when thousands flee India's baking hot plains for cooler climes.

"I had thought this would be the best season but everything is finished. Tourists are leaving and cancellation calls are rampant," said Abdul Rashid, whose houseboat was booked to capacity until the clashes broke out.

Leading tour operator Nazir Bakshi confirmed "there have been some cancellations" in tourist bookings, but was hopeful of a turnaround, once the "current crisis is resolved."

The unrest has brought life to a standstill with shops, schools, banks and restaurants closed since Monday.

The daily protests have closed key roads in and out of the mountain resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, forcing tourists to remain closeted in hotels.

The flight of tourists has come despite a call from top Kashmiri separatist Syed Ali Geelani to residents to protect the visitors and give them food.

"I appeal my people to provide food and accommodation to the tourists and desist from attacking them," Geelani said. "As Muslims it is our duty to protect all non-Muslims and help them."

Upset and worried, groups of tourists were seen heading towards winter capital Jammu before dawn Saturday while others were determined to leave Srinagar as early as possible.

"I and my wife are scared. We will be flying out on Sunday," said Amit Kumar, who was on a honeymoon trip to Kashmir.