Srinagar- A group of Kashmiri pilgrims have alleged that a tour operator has left them midway in Syria during a religious pilgrimage to the region.
One of the pilgrims identifying himself as Ali Mohammad alleged that a tour operator Syed Nasir from Harenara Pattan left him and three other pilgrims behind in Syria and returned to Kashmir.
“We had deposited Rs 1 lakh for a two week pilgrimage. Nasir, however, duped us in an alien land.” Ali Mohammad said in a viral video.
He further alleged that the ‘dumped’ pilgrims, including him have been sleeping empty stomach since their arrival in New Delhi four days ago.
“I can’t describe in words the terrible experience all of us had because of the tour operator,” he said.
“We sold all the goods bought during the pilgrimage to make arrangements for our stay in Delhi,” he added.
Ghulam Hassan, another pilgrim levelled similar accusations and alleged harassment at the hands of the tour operator.
“The tour operator told us to get into a plane and promised to meet us in New Delhi. That is the last time we have seen him” a visibly upset Hassan said.
Hassan further said that their tickets “to home” were cancelled by the operator and they were being forced to stay at a rented accommodation.
However, the tour operator Syed Nasir rubbished the allegations saying the stranded pilgrims could not board the flight as they were late.
“They were staying at a rented accommodation for which I had borne the expenses and they are on their way to Kashmir” Nasir was quoted as saying.
Nasir charged other tour operators of hatching a conspiracy to defame his travel agency.
The stuck pilgrims have been identified as Ali Mohammad R/O Gund Khawaja Qasim; Ghulam Mohammed R/O Trekolbal, Pattan; Mohamad Ishaq Dar R/O Gadkhod Sumbal; Gh Hassan Wani R/O Devar Yekmanpora; Khatoon Bano R/O Devar Yekmanpora; Kulsuma R/O Gadkhod,Sumbal; Haleema R/O Dasilpora; Fatima R/O Nowgam, Sumbal.
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