Kashmir Shuts Down Over Land Row

August 4, 2008

Author: Altaf Hussain

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7540157.stm

A shutdown is being observed in Indian-controlled Kashmir valley to protest against alleged assaults on Muslims in the state's Jammu region.

The Hindus in Jammu have been protesting ever since the state government rescinded the transfer of land to a Hindu shrine.

Muslims had protested saying that the move was aimed at altering the demographic balance in the area.

Violence over the transfer left five dead and hundreds wounded last month.

'Failed'

The shutdown in the Kashmir valley has been called by a prominent separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to express solidarity with the Muslims of Jammu.

Mr Geelani has said that the administration has failed to protect the lives and properties of Muslim in Jammu.