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Kashmir shrine violence spreads Kashmir shrine violence spreads
(about 5 hours later)
Protests over the controversial transfer of forest land for a popular Hindu pilgrimage have spread in Indian-administered Kashmir.Protests over the controversial transfer of forest land for a popular Hindu pilgrimage have spread in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Shops and offices were shut in the city of Srinagar for a second day in a row. There was little traffic on roads. At least two people have been killed in police firing in three days of protests in India's only Muslim-majority state.
Two civilians were injured when police fired at protesters in Srinagar on Monday. One of them later died. Wednesday's protests shut shops and offices in Srinagar and other towns, and left roads empty of traffic.
Every year, thousands of Hindus flock to Amarnath cave, considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith.Every year, thousands of Hindus flock to Amarnath cave, considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith.
The protests began after the state government transferred 40 hectares of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board - the organisation which organises the pilgrimage. The authorities say temporary structures are needed for the pilgrims, but protesters accuse officials of seeking to change the demographic balance in the area.
'Conspiracy''Conspiracy'
The government said the land was needed for construction of pre-fabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims. The protests began after the state government transferred 40 hectares of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board - the organisation which organises the pilgrimage.
The government said the land was needed for the construction of pre-fabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims.
Local environmentalists protested against the decision and local politicians joined them in opposing the issue.Local environmentalists protested against the decision and local politicians joined them in opposing the issue.
The separatist groups say the transfer of land to the shrine board is part of a "conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority".The separatist groups say the transfer of land to the shrine board is part of a "conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority".
The protests have now spread to the southern towns of Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag where shops are closed and roads empty of traffic.The protests have now spread to the southern towns of Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag where shops are closed and roads empty of traffic.
Businesses are also closed in the border town of Handwara where students of a college led a protest march joined by local residents. Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith
A similar protest has been reported from Kangan. Businesses are also closed in the border town of Handwara where students of a college led a protest march joined by local residents. A similar protest has been reported from Kangan.
Srinagar and the neighbouring district of Ganderbal are observing a complete shutdown for a second consecutive day.Srinagar and the neighbouring district of Ganderbal are observing a complete shutdown for a second consecutive day.
Two civilians were injured when police fired at protesters in Srinagar on Monday. One of them later died.
A second man was killed on Wednesday when police fired to disperse protesters at Mazhama outside Srinagar.
The leader of a group protesting against the transfer of land, Mian Qayum, has been placed under house arrest.The leader of a group protesting against the transfer of land, Mian Qayum, has been placed under house arrest.
Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith
Pro-India political parties like the opposition National Conference and constituents of the governing coalition - the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Communist Party-Marxist (CPI-M) - have also opposed the transfer of land.Pro-India political parties like the opposition National Conference and constituents of the governing coalition - the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Communist Party-Marxist (CPI-M) - have also opposed the transfer of land.
The PDP patron and former state chief minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayed, has said the government should revoke the land transfer by the end of the month.The PDP patron and former state chief minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayed, has said the government should revoke the land transfer by the end of the month.
Much of the controversy is being blamed on the former governor of the state, Lieutenant-General (retired) SK Sinha, who left office on Tuesday. Much of the controversy is being blamed on the former governor of the state, Lieut-Gen (retired) SK Sinha, who left office on Tuesday.
The governor is the ex-officio head of the shrine board.The governor is the ex-officio head of the shrine board.
Gen Sinha has said the shrine board is not answerable to the state's law-making assembly. He has refused to answer questions put to the shrine board by the law-makers.Gen Sinha has said the shrine board is not answerable to the state's law-making assembly. He has refused to answer questions put to the shrine board by the law-makers.
The controversy has brought together the separatists - the hardline and moderate factions of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) - who have decided to carry out a joint campaign against the land transfer. The controversy has brought together the separatists - the hard-line and moderate factions of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) - who have decided to carry out a joint campaign against the land transfer.
The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has threatened to block supplies of essential commodities to the valley of Kashmir if the campaign against the land transfer does not stop.The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has threatened to block supplies of essential commodities to the valley of Kashmir if the campaign against the land transfer does not stop.
Are you in Srinagar? Did you witness the protests? Send us your views on the land-transfer.Are you in Srinagar? Did you witness the protests? Send us your views on the land-transfer.
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