No security for tourists, says rescued family from Karnataka

Bengaluru: While the floods were a real threat, a family from the city which was stranded in Srinagar while on holiday there, found the situation was a free for all with little security on the streets as well. Stranded and starving, 59-year old Mr Basavaraj and his family survived on two litres of water for four days in a hotel room with several others waiting to be rescued.

On learning of the army’s arrival they decided to trek 12 kms to the helipad near the Raj Bhavan, but were not prepared for what came next. Surrounded by some local goons, who demanded they shout pro-Pakistan slogans. They had no choice but to shout “Pakistan zindabad!,” to escape being lynched, recounts Mr Basavaraj, who returned to his home in Sudhamnagar in the city Thursday night after finally being airlifted to safety.

“We were staying in a hotel near the golf course in Srinagar, when the floods hit. We were all stranded inside the hotel room and starved for four days as there was no food. We survived on just two litres of water. 

But finally we were told the army personnel had come to rescue tourists. And so 20 of us set out for the helipad near Raj Bhavan, but on the way we lost most of our belongings and were asked to shout pro-Pakistan slogans by some local goons, ” he recounted, adding, “There was no security for the tourists and the local police didn't help. We don't know the identify of the persons who surrounded us but they looked formidable and locals.”'