This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7492694.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Kashmir leader quits in land row Kashmir leader quits in land row
(about 4 hours later)
The chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has offered to resign ahead of a vote of confidence in his government. The chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has resigned following the withdrawal of a key coalition partner.
His administration was reduced to a minority 10 days ago after a coalition partner, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), withdrew its support. The move follows angry protests by Muslims and Hindus over a proposed transfer of land to a Hindu shrine.
The PDP pulled out after angry protests by Kashmiri Muslims against a decision to transfer land to a Hindu shrine.
At least five people died and hundreds were wounded in the unrest.At least five people died and hundreds were wounded in the unrest.
Mr Azad announced his decision to quit in the state's summer capital, Srinagar. The region's governor has accepted Mr Azad's resignation, but asked him and his ministers to stay on until alternative arrangements can be made.
Addressing the state assembly, the chief minister said he was going to the Raj Bhavan [state governor's house] to hand in his resignation.
Elections are due in Indian-administered Kashmir, the country's only Muslim majority state, in October.Elections are due in Indian-administered Kashmir, the country's only Muslim majority state, in October.
Violent protestsViolent protests
The BBC's Altaf Hussain in Srinagar says the governor has the option of imposing federal rule in the state or asking Mr Azad to continue as the caretaker chief minister until fresh elections are held and a new government is elected. Mr Azad's administration was reduced to a minority 10 days ago after the People's Democratic Party (PDP) withdrew from the coalition following Muslim protests over the land transfer plans. It had opposed the plans.
The governor had asked Mr Azad to prove his majority in the house after the PDP pulled out of the government. He announced his decision to quit ahead of a vote of confidence in the state assembly.
The Kashmir valley witnessed days of violent protests in recent weeks following the government's decision to grant 40 hectares of forest land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. The Kashmir valley has witnessed violent protests in recent weeks following the government's decision to grant 40 hectares of forest land to the Amarnath Shrine Board.
Muslims argued the move was aimed at altering the demographic balance in the valley. Muslims argued the move was aimed at altering the demographic balance in the area.
The state government later rescinded its decision - which led to protests by Hindus in the state's Hindu-majority region of Jammu. The state government said the Amarnath Shrine Board needed the land to erect huts and toilets for visiting pilgrims.
Demonstrations later spread to other parts of India, with hard-line Hindu groups accusing the Kashmir government of giving in to the demands of separatists. But it rescinded its decision last Monday - which led to unrest among Hindus in the state's Hindu-majority region of Jammu. Protests are still going on.
Demonstrations also spread to other parts of India, with hard-line Hindu groups accusing the Kashmir government of giving in to the demands of separatists.
Last Thursday four people died in Indore, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, when police opened fire during clashes between Hindus and Muslims over the issue, officials say.Last Thursday four people died in Indore, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, when police opened fire during clashes between Hindus and Muslims over the issue, officials say.