Jammu vs Kashmir unrest continues
From violent clashes in Muslim-majority Kashmir to the total strike in Hindu-dominated Jammu, the religious polarisation over the transfer of 33.98 hectares of land to SASB.
More violence in anti-Amarnath land deal Kashmir, total bandh in pro-deal Jammu
SRINAGAR: From violent clashes in Muslim-majority Kashmir to the total strike in Hindu-dominated Jammu, the religious polarisation over the transfer of 33.98 hectares of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has become the dominant discourse in the state.
Even as Kashmir continued to simmer for the fourth day on Thursday, the newly appointed J&K governor, NN Vohra, appealed to the people to maintain peace and calm, stressing that all issues of public importance can be resolved amicably.
Three people have died and over 150 have been injured, including 50 police and CRPF men, in the clashes during the last four days.
“The Shrine Board is deeply sensitive to the mood of the people on various issues including the environmental aspects of the yatra zone. Every possible effort will be made to meet the ecological requirements,” Vohra said.
However, despite Vohra’s reconciliatory attitude, hundreds of people marched across streets in anti-Shrine Board and anti-government protests. Srinagar wore the look of a ghost town with fires raging on every street. Huge columns of smoke had engulfed the Kashmir skies as protesters’ burnt tires, police posts and wooden kiosks on road.
Tension also mounted in PDP’s traditional stronghold of Anantnag after people staged a demonstration in large numbers against the land deal. However, amid heavy security cover, the Amarnath yatris were allowed to reach Pahalgam and Baltal.
In Jammu, protests broke in favour of the land deal. Hundred of supporters of VHP, BJP, Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal took to streets at different places in Jammu. Carrying tridents, they forced shops to shut down and ransacked some. “There was a complete bandh in Jammu and people participated voluntary,” said DD Sharma, Jammu city president of VHP.
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