AN URGENT WARNING:
I just got back from India. When I was in New Delhi I was
accosted and convinced by some very persistent (yet
seemingly friendly) travel agents to go up to Kashmir
(please note that most travel agents in the major cities,
who try to convince you to go to Kashmir are in fact
Kashmiri Houseboat owners). They told me it was safe.
When I got up there I found the situation terrible: not
only were there Indian security bunkers ever 10 metres
throughout the region, but the Kashmiri people were
absolutely dishonest about everything, ranging from their
own marital status and name, to the actual cost of
accommodation.
I personally did not lose a significant amount of money but
I met many travellers who lost "a lot" of money. The
Kashmiri travel agents (both within and outside Kashmir)
use many devious (and quite imaginative) tactics to get you
to part with your hard-earned currency. No one is immune.
These men are very gregarious, good-looking and speak
almost perfect English, and they KNOW it. They especially
love to prey on solo travellers, preferably women. They
will tell you anything to get you up to Kashmir: "You are
beautiful" "I want to marry you" "My family would love to
get to know you" "I have never met such an intelligent
person before in my life" etc.... They will first start a
friendship with you and then..... the metaphorical knife
will be plunged in your back. Once they have you up in
Kashmir, watch out: this is when the REAL cheating
begins... You will NOT have a moment of peace.
TRUE STORY (See Indian Express, dated May 5, 1999)
In December 1998 a Japanese man (a solo traveller) was
convinced by two ruthless Kashmiri boatmen to go up to
Kashmir to stay on a houseboat. Apparently, there was a
dispute about money (not uncommon), and he threatened to go
to the police. The traveller was strangled and cut into
eight pieces by two Kashmiri boatmen.
I have NEVER in my entire life met soooooo many liars
contained within one geographical proximity. I travelled
extensively throughout in India for five months, and I can
safely say that the Kashmiri people are not to be trusted
under ANY circumstances. This is s very difficult thing
for me to say as I am a very tolerant person who has worked
extensively on anti-racist and progressive international
development projects. The Kashmiri make non-Kashmiri
Indians look like absolute saints - this says something!!!!!
Please listen to the LP India advice: DO NOT GO TO KASHMIR
(no matter how good-looking, how sweet-talking the travel
agent is). The political situation is not the only thing to
be feared!!!!!
LP writers: the following edition of LP India should
contain a warning about the Kashmiri people, not merely
about the political situation. Political correctness needs
to be pushed to the margins...
[There are 13 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 22:55]
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you sound like a bit of a mug
Miranda
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Warning heeded!
M
miranda, if you were a regular to this page, you would have
noticed numerous warnings about Kashmir and the sharks
there. Having been there a number of times, I agree with
everything you say. Except the part about Kashmiri people.
Not all of the are assholes. The one's who depend on the
tourist trade ofcourse are exactly as you describe them, but
those who have nothing to sell to you are absolutely
magnificient people. I happened to run into a family and
they helped me out a lot. So, I guess, it's like every
place else that depends on tourism.
I have a feeling that the "proverbial knife" you refer to is
one that stings the worst. Hell hath no fury, and all that.
Yes, there are loads of scams in Kashmir, but your
indictment of the entire population is silly and probably
the product of a very personal dispute situation that you
alone are involved in.
Tell him he's a lousy lover and forget him.
hello
do not talk bad of the entire population of
kashmir.
my boyfriend is kashmiri and i have been to kashmir
many times and i have always been treated by the
kashmiris in a very good way.
as all over the world you can meet the wrong kind
of people, so then perhaps the LP guides should
contain warning of the people from every country
in the world.....
I tend to agree with Miranda. I didn't go up to Kashmir
while in India, but I did meet many Kashmiris during my
travels. All were bastards. Also, most Kashmiris are
dependent on tourism (either directly or indirectly), which
I think can explain why you met soooo may assholes up
there. As far as Tahima is concerned: your boyfriend is
probably cheating on you right now!!!!!!! Remember what the
Kashmiri men say about Western women: Fuck and forget...
Just because something is published in a newspaper doesn't
necessarily mean its true and even if it is - please keep
things in perspective. How many muggings occur in New York,
how many single women get hassled in Greece? Maybe you want
warning out on those too.
Miranda, you sound pretty gullible falling for the Kasmiri
guys in India and did you fall for the you are beautiful
marry me story? Because you come across as a very angry,
disappointed and emotional woman.
Thanks for all the responses: I guess I need to clarify a
few things: 1) No, I never had a relationship, sexual or
otherwise, with a Kashmiri man. In fact, I went up there
with my boyfriend. So, I have no axe to grind. I just met
a lot of assholes up there. And, no I didn't fall for the
"you are beautiful" line. I actually wanted to see
Kashmir. That is why I went. I just want other people to
know what types of scams are used to lure travellers up
there. India can be a pretty overwhelming place at times
and sometimes it is easy to make careless mistakes, such as
falling for a Kashmiri scam, when your bearings are not in
working order. I think it is really important for
travellers to know this.
2) And, no I don't believe ALL Kashmiris in Kashmir are
assholes, but most of the people I met up there (related to
the tourism industry or not) were fairly seedy, trying to
scam me in some way or another. And, no I didn't fall for
any of the scams. But I think it would be pretty easy for
some one to fall for one: these men are really convincing
street actors. I think it is really important to remember
that not all travellers in India are "seasoned" veteran
travellers and might not be used to such trickery. I hope
my message helps in some way to prevent people from being
cheated, as it can really ruin a travel experience.
hello
sarah.... i feel sorry for you.....
keep your opinion about my boyfriend to yourself.
we are living together in my homecountry, soon
getting married. you know life is sometimes very
good...even with a kashmiri man......
bye bye
I have been kashmir 3 times . I have many friends at there .
Would you mind tell me which travel agent cheat you and the
name of this company ? I have interest to know that .
.. that the kashmiri travel agents especially in paharganj
are ONLY good in selling charras. you have to bargain hard
but the quality is o.k. it sounds like a strange idea to me
to buy a travel arrangment from a kashmiri travel agency.
sorry
dror
...and it was the same story as what Miranda said. It is
definitely a place to be avoided. Not just because of the
political troubles (there was Indian military all over,
nightly curfews and gun fire during the evening) but people
did try to cheat you all the time. I was also physically
threatened by a well-known man (scam artist) called "Peter"
and it was very frightening!! I wouldn't go and I CERTAINLY
wouldn't go alone, like I did!
Mags,
Peter tried to cheat me too. He has a houseboat named New
Sherin and a travel agency called Bob Travels in Pahar
Ganj. The man is definitely dangerous.
Kashmiris can be very violent, physically, emotionally and
sexually. I heard of a NZ women being raped by a Kashmiri
in Kashmir. She, of course, was too scared to go to the
police. Avoid Kashmir!!!!!!!!!!!!!