Protesting Hindus Clash with Police in Jammu, 30 Injured

July 28, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Taipei Times

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/07/28/2003418733

At least 30 people were injured in India-administered Kashmir’s summer capital of Jammu on Saturday when Hindu protestors clashed with police to protest the cancelation of transfer of land for a popular Hindu pilgrimage.

Jammu, a Hindu majority region in the mostly Muslim state has been observing a shut-down since Thursday against the state government’s revoking its earlier order of transferring 40 hectares of forest land to a trust that organizes the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave.

All business, commercial establishments and educational institutes remained closed and traffic was off the roads in Jammu city.

Administration officials said 30 people, including protestors and eight policemen, were injured when clashes erupted at several places in Jammu. The demonstrators also set ablaze vehicles and damaged many others.

Police baton-charged demonstrators and fired tear-gas shells to prevent stone-pelting crowds from entering the city center.