‘It is safe here’ – Tourists in Kashmir deny any danger despite Canada’s travel advisory over diplomatic dispute

« Canada updated its travel advice for India on Tuesday, advising its citizens to travel with extreme caution due to the ongoing dispute with India over the alleged assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The advisory cites the possibility of attacks across the country.
Despite the travel advisory, some tourists in Kashmir have expressed feeling safe and not perceiving any danger.
The footage filmed on Wednesday features tourists and other people riding a boat and strolling through the city. Some officers could also be seen carrying guns.
« I know that it is safe here, and I’m not going to listen to what my government is saying because I know it is not true, » said a visitor, Gosha.
« We don’t feel threatened, we didn’t feel like there is a danger. There is a bit funny feeling – these guns are on the street now in the evening, so is a strange feeling, but no. We don’t feel like it is dangerous for us, tourists, » added another visitor, Anjay.
This update comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of being complicit in Nijjar’s murder, leading to a diplomatic spat between the two countries. Trudeau’s accusations were based on allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing.
The situation remains tense as both countries have expelled diplomats in response to the dispute, with India rejecting Canada’s allegations as ‘illogical and fabricated.’
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader who campaigned for the creation of an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan in the North Indian Punjab region, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver suburb in June. India has denied any involvement in his killing. »



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