Stranded tourists on their way back to Ghatshila on Sunday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Jamshedpur, Aug. 31: Ghatshila, the once popular weekend getaway in East Singhbhum that was looking forward to regaining some of its lost charm among tourists this pujas, is back to where it was: a designated red hub unsafe for visitors.

Only yesterday, a young couple from Bhopal visiting Burudih dam in the morning, had a harrowing time because of the rebel-triggered landmine blast that killed 11 jawans.

“While we were at the dam we heard the blast. Then the air was filled with sounds of firing that continued over an hour. We were scared to get back to our hotel,” said Sanjit Dubey, a software engineer.

He and his wife were staying at a hotel in Ghatshila and had taken an autorickshaw to the dam, 10km away. “There was a barricade of armed policemen at the site and as our autorickshaw began to move through it, an officer stopped us around 2.40pm. We were kept waiting till 6pm and were allowed to get back on foot, as our driver was held up for further interrogation,” he said.

A series of Naxalite-sponsored violence in the area had given the sub-division the unsavoury reputation of being a rebel-prone area — a red hub. But, hoteliers stress that things were beginning to look good this pre-puja season

Tourists, especially from neighbouring Bengal, were booking rooms in hotels, resorts and guesthouses for the season starting from mid-September and continuing till February. But, it seems that Saturday’s violence has sealed Ghatshila’s fate yet again.

Those associated with the hospitality sector are worried. “In Ghatshila, every small incident of violence leaves a mark on the tourism industry and the trend has been such since 2003,” said Ashok Kumar Senapati, a manager of a local hotel.

“The biggest blow came after JMM MP Sunil Mahto was assassinated in Galudih. Later, the industry almost came to a standstill. People began to consider Ghatshila a ‘dangerous zone’. The trade picked up momentarily after nine rebels were eliminated in Dumaria,” said Senapati.

Afterwards, the manager said, some booking trickled in. “From the queries, we were hopeful that we were looking at a better season. But our hopes has been dashed.”

“A chunk of our business comes from Bengal and the season starts after Vishwakarma Puja. Yesterday’s blasts may affect business. Though we have not faced any cancellations yet, there will be some after the news spreads,” said Vijay Kumar Chatterjee, the manager of hotel Akashdeep in Ghatshila.

Hotel Snehalata reported a few cancellations.

“There has already been two cancellations today. It is true that tourism would be affected, but I hope the impact would not stay for more than a month,” said S.N. Roy, the manager.