samarkadian
Active member
The government of Indian-administered Kashmir has said it will revoke its decision to transfer land to a body that manages an important Hindu shrine.
News that the Amarnath Shrine Board was to get the forest land sparked days of protests by the area's Muslim majority.
Three people were killed and hundreds injured, including police officers.
The protests were the among the biggest in the disputed Himalayan region for years, and widened to focus on pro-independence demands.
'Conspiracy'
State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the cabinet would formally revoke the plans.
He was speaking after the shrine board's management offered to return the land.
The state government now says it will provide all the necessary facilities for pilgrims who want to visit the shrine.
The government had said the land was needed for the construction of pre-fabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims.
Separatist groups said the transfer of land was part of a "conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority".
Local environmentalists also protested against the decision.
The unrest has brought back memories of widespread protests that swept the region after a separatist insurgency began in 1989.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7480217.stm
What kind of the country we are heading towards?
How should a state should act in such matters?
Would ever the issue of Kashmir be resolved and How?
News that the Amarnath Shrine Board was to get the forest land sparked days of protests by the area's Muslim majority.
Three people were killed and hundreds injured, including police officers.
The protests were the among the biggest in the disputed Himalayan region for years, and widened to focus on pro-independence demands.
'Conspiracy'
State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the cabinet would formally revoke the plans.
He was speaking after the shrine board's management offered to return the land.
The state government now says it will provide all the necessary facilities for pilgrims who want to visit the shrine.
The government had said the land was needed for the construction of pre-fabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims.
Separatist groups said the transfer of land was part of a "conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority".
Local environmentalists also protested against the decision.
The unrest has brought back memories of widespread protests that swept the region after a separatist insurgency began in 1989.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7480217.stm
What kind of the country we are heading towards?
How should a state should act in such matters?
Would ever the issue of Kashmir be resolved and How?
