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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Land protests shut down Kashmir | Land protests shut down Kashmir |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Life in Indian-controlled Kashmir is at a standstill for the fourth day in a row after more protests over land transfers for a Hindu pilgrimage site. | |
| Shops across the Kashmir valley are shut and roads empty of traffic. Banks, colleges and businesses 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' |
| Thousands of people took to the streets again on Thursday in towns across the disputed Himalayan region. | |
| 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. |
| We are protesting against the land transfer, which is one of India's grand designs to consolidate the occupation Mohammad Iqbal, Srinagar protester Views on Kashmir land row | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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". | 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 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 faith | Amarnath cave is considered one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu faith |
| Meanwhile, many Hindu majority areas of the state are on strike to oppose the protests. | Meanwhile, many Hindu majority areas of the state are on strike to oppose 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. | On Thursday there were reports of clashes between protesters and police in several parts of the Kashmir valley, besides the city of Srinagar. |
| Two protesters were killed when police fired to disperse crowds on Wednesday. Another was hit by a bullet and died on Monday. | Two protesters were killed when police fired to disperse crowds on Wednesday. Another was hit by a bullet and died on Monday. |
| Sensitive | Sensitive |
| Much of the controversy is being blamed on the former governor of the state, SK Sinha, who left office on Tuesday. | Much of the controversy is being blamed on the former governor of the state, 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 assembly. | Gen Sinha has said the shrine board is not answerable to the state assembly. |
| Sale of land to outsiders in prohibited in Kashmir | Sale of land to outsiders in prohibited in Kashmir |
| Kashmiris have been historically sensitive about transfers of land in the state. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
| yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |