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| TAAN denies news on firing of blank shots in Annapurna |
| 21-Oct-2003 |
Kathmandu, October 16
The Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN) has denied media reports about security forces firing blank shots in some areas of the Annapurna circuit and declining permits to trekkers from entering there.
"Such news are misleading and totally untrue," said Deepak Mahat, president of TAAN, at a press conference here today.
Based on such misleading news, some embassies have already started issuing travel warnings in the Annapurna region.
TAAN, with the help of its regional chapters in Pokhara, Ghandruk and Ghorepani, found out that the media reports were false. "Although there were security checks in Ghandruk, the security forces did not open blank fires. The security forces have not driven away any trekkers from the Annapurna circuit," said Mahat.
He said the trekkers changed the route out of their own will after they heard that there were security checks in Ghandruk. "Security checks are natural when widespread violence is being reported in the country."
TAAN is concerned about the possible decline of tourists due to false information. "Our major concern is that the false news may affect trekking business in Nepal since the American Embassy has already issued a travel warning against trekking in Annapurna region to its citizens and that other embassies may follow it," said Mahat.
Mahat also pointed out that the trekkers who go through trekking agencies do not run into problems but there have been cases of those going individually facing problems.
Source: HT
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