Mehbooba pays tribute to boatman who drowned saving tourists

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today paid rich tributes to shikarwala (boatman) Ghulam Mohammad Guroo, who died rescuing a group of tourists in river Jhelum, saying his sacrifice symbolised the real essence of "Kashmiriyat".

She said his demise symbolised the real spirit of compassion and valour where a Kashmiri can give the extreme sacrifice of his life to safeguard the lives of his guests.

The body of the 55-year-old boatman was fished out of Jhelum today.

Guroo jumped into the river after his Shikara carrying the tourists capsized near Fateh Kadal bridge. While he managed to rescue all the tourists, he himself drowned while retrieving their personal belongings from the river.
 

Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family of Guroo, Mehbooba prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

She also ordered disbursement of Rs one lakh in cash and assured the family of all possible help from the government.