Kashmir Tensions Flare After Sheikh's Death

Along with three others, Sheikh Abdul Aziz was killed during a march to the Line of Control that divides the disputed region between the two countries. Two hundred people were reported to have been injured during the breaking up of the march, said to have been up to one hundred thousand strong.

Hurriyat Conference Marches Against Economic Blockade

The march was planned by the Hurriyat Conference; a group that believes the Muslim majority state should secede from India and form an independent Kashmir.

A second march from inside Pakistan administrated Kashmir to the Line of Control coincided with the Hurriyat demonstration and was halted by security forces at the town of Chakothi, where police fired tear gas shells to disperse crowds, reports The Times.

Influx of Hindu Pilgrims Concerns Kashmiri Muslims

The latest outbreak of violence has been brewing in the region since June 2008 when the Congress state government gave ninety-nine acres of land to a Hindu religious group, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Given to the organisation to allow the setting up of shelters and facilities for the thousands of Hindu pilgrims who journey to the sacred cave of Amarnath, the move was resented by the state’s Muslim majority, who fear attempts by the government to “Hinduize” Indian Kashmir. A leading cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said in June that Kashmir’s Muslims would resist any attempts to:”change the demographic composition of the state”

State-wide Communal Agitation

The nine days of agitation that followed the issuing of land have dealt a huge blow to the tourism industry of the region, which had recently showed signs of an upturn. Seven people are known to have died and hundreds of police and paramilitary injuries have been reported.

A measure of calm was achieved on July 1st when Chief Minister of the state government Ghulam Azad revoked the land grant. However, this prompted further protests, especially from the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region to the south, and an economic blockade of Kashmir was called for.

Goods traffic had been prevented from leaving Jammu to travel to Kashmir and Monday’s Hurriyat Conference march was a protest against this. It was to have been met by the second march from within Pakistan who claim they were also carrying vital medical supplies desperately needed in hospitals over the border.

The situation remains very tense throughout the region; a curfew was imposed on Srinagar after authorities feared unrest during the funeral for Sheikh Aziz, and this has yet to be lifted.

The army is still on stand-by and there were unconfirmed reports of cross border shelling by Pakistani forces.

An all-party delegation visiting the region on Monday failed to find a solution to the crisis, and talks were held again on Tuesday.

Himal Southasian has more on the build up to the current situation.

Srinagar

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds