News This Week

Protests rocked on the streets of Indian Kashmir on Friday (27.07.08) over fear of Hindu settlements. It sparked after the transfer of 99 acres land by state government to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for the construction of facilities for pilgrims who flock here every year.

To ease the tension in the valley, Ghulam Nabi Azad (state CM) promised earlier this week that there would be no construction on the transferred land. Meanwhile, to get control over the situation, the police did firing into the air, lobbed tear gas shells, canned protesters.

It is reported that three protesters have been killed and 200 injured. 140 police officers have also been injured and over dozen government vehicles damaged.

These five days protests have forced tourists to flock back. According to one guest house, nearly 40 percent of clients have canceled their advance booking. Analysts say that this protest is a message to the country that peace would not be maintain in the valley unless a proper solution was found.