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Land protests shut down Kashmir Land protests shut down Kashmir
(about 3 hours later)
Life in Indian-controlled Kashmir is at a standstill for the four consecutive day after protests over the transfer of land for a Hindu pilgrimage site. Life in Indian-controlled Kashmir is at a standstill for the fourth consecutive day after protests over the transfer of land for a Hindu pilgrimage site.
Shops in the valley are shut and traffic is suspended. Educational institutions and colleges are closed. Shops across the Kashmir valley are shut and roads empty of traffic. Banks, colleges and businesses are closed.
Three people have been shot dead by police in three days of protests in India's only Muslim-majority state.Three people have been shot dead by police in three days of protests in India's only Muslim-majority state.
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 authorities say temporary structures are needed for the pilgrims, but protesters accuse officials of seeking to change the demographic balance in the area.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 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 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.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. 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". Hard-line and moderate separatist groups say the transfer of land is part of a "conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority".
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 have also opposed the transfer of land.
Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faithAmarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith
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. Meanwhile, many Hindu majority areas of the state are on strike to oppose the protests.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's decision to call an all party meeting over the issue has failed to stop the protests. On Thursday there were reports of clashes between protesters and police in several parts of the Kashmir valley, besides the city of Srinagar.
The Hindu nationalist Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have called a strike in the Hindu majority Jammu region of the state to oppose the stir against land transfer. Two protesters were killed when police fired to disperse crowds on Wednesday. Another was hit by a bullet and died on Monday.
The strike call has evoked an overwhelming response in many Hindu-dominated areas. Sensitive
Two protesters were killed when police fired to disperse crowds on Wednesday, one at Mazhama outside Srinagar and one in the city itself. Much of the controversy is being blamed on the former governor of the state, SK Sinha, who left office on Tuesday.
Another man was hit by a bullet on Monday and died of his injuries later the same day.
The leader of a group protesting against the transfer of land, Mian Qayum, has been placed under house arrest.
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 assembly.
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. Sale of land to outsiders in prohibited in Kashmir
Kashmiris have been historically sensitive about transfers of land in the state.
Many of them feel that the only way to preserve their identity is by retaining control of the land.
Under residency laws, non-Kashmiris cannot buy land in the state.
The late, popular Kashmiri leader Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah's decision to allow investors from outside the state to lease land for industry is still criticised by locals.
Last year, the government allowed property developers from outside the state to bid for land at the resort of Gulmarg.
The decision had be withdrawn in the face of public opposition.
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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