Click to play videoNew Delhi: The land allotment row has certainly taking a toll in lives. More than 20 people have died and hundreds have been injured in riots. Ghulam Nabi Azad’s government has also collapsed but the fire is yet to be put out.
After Consumer Minister, Taj Mohideen said, “The Amarnath Shrine Board does not need to pursue its earlier request for forest land being diverted for creating the required temporary facilities”, many thought the contentious Amarnath issue was over. But, even before the Kashmiris were done celebrating after the two weeks protest, Jammu erupted.
A small agitation spearheaded by the Amarnath Yatra Sangrash Samiti soon gathered momentum. Hundreds came on the streets defying curfew and demanded that the land should be given back to the board.
“We want our land back,” said a Jammu resident.
“Kashmire is ours. From Ladakh to Kanyakumari, the entire India is ours,” said another Jammu resident.
The land row is not a new issue. It has been the main ingredient in a political stew that has been simmering in the valley for a while.
Here are the events that led to this protest:
- March 29, 2005: The Forest Department issues a government order granting permission to Shri Amarnath Shrine Baord (SASB) for using the forest land.
- June 12, 2008: The House Committee on environment asks the SASB to shorten the duration of the yatra to 15 days to prevent environmental degradation.
- June 17, 2008: The SASB CEO triggers controversy by asking why Muslim pollution is tolerable and not Hindu pollution.
- June 19, 2008: Hardline and moderate Hurriyat leaders meet after five years to launch a joint front against the forest land transfer.
- June 28, 2008: The PDP withdraws support to government over land allotment to Amarnath board.
- June 29, 2008: Governor, also the chairman of the Amarnath board gives up claim to land.
Governor N N Vohra's promises to reconstitute the board including aggrieved people of Jammu and Kashmiri pandits has not placated the rioters. Protesters in Jammu have decided to block supplies to Kashmir and their counterparts in the valley will return the favour in kind. With no immediate solution in sight all eyes are now on the Prime Minster's all-party meeting.
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