Tourists were a confused lot in the wake of the attacks near Jama Masjid
Tourists were a confused lot in the wake of the attacks near Jama MasjidThe scene in and outside Jama Masjid after the firing incident that happened Sunday morning was that of confusion and chaos. Two motorcycle-borne assailants had fired several rounds at a vehicle carrying foreign tourists, injuring two Taiwanese nationals, near the 17th century mosque.u00a0
As the city is gearing up to receive thousands of foreign tourists in the wake of Commonwealth Games, the suspected terrorist attack came as a rude shock to those already in town.
"It was an isolated incident. We are used to such troublemakers. The Commonwealth Games are a big event for India and such an incident is very unfortunate in the run up to the mega sporting event. I am not scared and as I see it would not amount to a change of perception among the foreign tourists who are to come down to the country for the event," said a calm Andrew, a UK national found busy photographing in the premises of the mosque.
"Do you by any chance know the nationality of the tourists fired at? I am a bit scared now. The incident might have a negative impact on the Commonwealth Games. If more such incidents happen before the Games, it will be frightening," said Boris Robert, a French visitor.
"It is quite scary, but I would stay in the country for the Games," said Francis, a tourist from Spain at the Mughal-era mosque.
Not at all perturbed while talking about the firing on foreign nationals in the heart of the capital, French tourist Jonathon Feutren said, "It is always risky to come to India, but I like the place so much that I come here psychologically prepared. Also, the incident is not good for the country's image just before the Games. I am not scared and I am not flying out."
The shooting affected the small time businessmen operating from around the Masjid. "It is an unusual Sunday; we are open seven days for the foreign visitors who come in everyday. Today we had to close down due to this unexpected happening. It would definitely affect us," said Mohammad Waseem, who runs a small jewellery shop in the area.
"Though we have opened the shop today also, but I am about to shut down as there have been no customers since morning," said Farhan Ahmed, owner of a cotton and handicrafts store.
