Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Israeli Tourism Minister terms Delhi HC blast 'terrible'


New Delhi, Sep.7 (ANI): Israel's Minister for Tourism Stas Misezhnikov on Wednesday said the bomb blast at Delhi High court was 'terrible' and both nations should learn to maintain strict safety measures while living in difficult neighbourhoods.
Misezhnikov is on his first official visit to India between September 5 and 9.
Expressing his concern over the blast that killed 12 and injured 60, Misezhnikov said such 'terrible' acts can prove fatal for international tourism
"We have a quite difficult neighbourhood and you have the same difficulty with your neighbourhood. This makes a strong bond with our country and so there is a deeper understanding of feelings during such times. It is a difficult job for the ministry of tourism to explain to the tourists that it is safe to travel to a country after it has suffered from such a terrible terrorist attack," said Misezhnikov.
Misezhnikov said both India and Israel must unite and understand each other better and continue with tourist interactions so that terror does not win.
Stas Misezhnikov
"We have today's attack on a judge court in New Delhi but you will see that the youngsters of Israel would continue to come to India and Israeli families will continue to come to India because if we will not do all this, this will be an award to the terrorists and none of us would want to give such a prize to the terrorists. We have to say that terror will not win but now it is more important to understand each other needs better," said Misezhnikov.
Misezhnikov has met his Indian counterpart, Subodh Kant Sahai and would be meeting Minister of Civil Aviation, Vayalar Ravi today. Misezhnikov, accompanied by senior officials from his ministry and a business delegation, will also conduct meetings and seminars with tourism and aviation business leaders in Mumbai city tomorrow.
He noted that strict security measures have helped Israel against possible terror acts and it is better to be on the safe side with regard to security.
"When there are complaints of certain Indian groups that they have to wait at the entrance of our country for too long due to checking and double checking, the explanation to that is we want to guarantee you safety at the entrance and when you leave Israel. It is always better to be on the safe side of security," said Misezhnikov.
The blast outside the court, seen as a high profile but soft target, comes at a time when the judiciary is in sharp focus for nudging the government to act on issues ranging from corruption to environment.
In May, a low-intensity blast outside the same court triggered panic but no one was injured.
Several bomb attacks in large Indian cities in recent years have been tied to the Indian Mujahideen, said to have support from Pakistan-based militants fighting Indian rule in Kashmir.  
By Pooja Shali(ANI)

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