Jammu, January 1
Demonstrations against the hanging of Saddam Hussain dominated the Id celebrations throughout Jammu and Kashmir today. Angry Muslims raised slogans against the US President George Bush after the Id prayers.

Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, in the presence of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, raised slogans at a Idgah here against the execution.

He took out a procession that raised slogans of "azadi" outside the Congress headquarters on the Residency Road near the official residence of the chief minister.

Reports of anti-Bush demonstrations have also been received from Doda, Bhaderwah and other parts of the state. Addressing a huge Id congregation at the Idgah here, Mr Azad prayed for end of the saga of hatred and violence in the state.

He said: "We should learn the lesson of Id. Those indulging in killings and harming human beings in the name of religion should shun all type of violence. He said that Islam has always taught love, peace and amity.

The Chief Minister said Islam never permitted bloodshed nor created a wedge between people belonging to different faiths as they all were the creation of god.

Referring to the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Mr Azad said that he along with his Council of Ministers had described it unfortunate, hasty and hurtful. He prayed for peace of Saddam Hussein's soul. He also prayed for the peace to all those souls who had become victims of terrorism in the state.

Srinagar, January 1
Though there has been a decline in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, several steps have been taken to pave the way for an everlasting peace through triangular dialogue between India and Pakistan, Centre and various groups, and of separatists with Pakistan leaders.

The year started with an uphill task of providing relief and rehabilitation to thousands of people rendered homeless by the devastating earthquake that struck in parts of north Kashmir on October 8, 2005. The most-affected areas were the Uri sector in Baramula district and the Tangdhar-Teetwal in Kupwara district, both areas are close to the LoC.

While, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad completed his one year stint as the Chief Minister on November 2,2005, he has been at the helm of affairs throughout this year. 2006 was marked by holding of roundtable conference, creation of eight new districts, ownership to farmers under the renewed Roshni scheme and various other measures taken by the Congress-PDP coalition government.

One of the most important decisions vis-à-vis restoration of peace in the state has been the conduct of roundtable conferences to usher in stability and normalcy, one each in Delhi and Srinagar. The decision was taken on February 14 followed by the first roundtable conference 10 days later in New Delhi. The government, however, has failed to rope in separatist groups to attend the roundtable conference though the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had indicated to attend the second roundtable held Srinagar in May this year. These meetings were attended by different mainstream political parties while all separatist groups preferred to stay away.

It was at the end of second roundtable conference held in May here that the Prime Minister announced the constitution of five working groups, involving diverse sections of society and political parties, of the three regions. These groups were aimed at making recommendations for the confidence building measures across segments of society in the state, strengthening relations across the LoC, economic development, ensuring good governance, and strengthening relations between the state and the Centre. Seven meetings of these groups have already been held so far. However, the Opposition National Conference has during the past couple of months decided to stay away from the working groups for there had been no respite in the excesses at the hands of security forces and no adherence to Prime Minister’s assurance on zero tolerance on human rights violations.

Other important events included the opening of Poonch-Rawalakot road for divided families on either side of the LoC after 59 years of separation. This had followed the opening of a bus service on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road on April 7, 2005. In the aftermath of the earthquake various other relief and crossing points along the LoC like that of Teetwal were opened to further minimise distance between divided families. The government has so far disbursed Rs 495 crore among earthquake victims as cash relief.

Jammu, January 1
The seizure of skin of two snow leopards and the brutal killing of three Asian black bear in Jammu and Kashmir has put the wildlife authorities in the dock. The incidents have created an embarrassing situation for the Congress-PDP coalition government.

The seizure of skins from the Lakhanpur barrier, adjoining Punjab, has set alarm bells ringing for the authorities. This indicates that illegal killing of endangered species continues in Ladakh region and upper reaches of Doda district. The police and the wildlife authorities have so far failed to make a breakthrough in the case and were rather trying to push the matter under the carpet to save themselves from further embarrassment.

On the other hand, the brutal killing of a black bear, a rare species, in the Tral area of the valley has been condemned by wildlife lovers throughout the country.

The harmless bear was first beaten with stones and sticks by the villagers and then burnt to death, allegedly in the presence of some wildlife officials.

The Wildlife Act was being observed here more in defiance not only by the common people, but also by the authorities. No census as regards endangered species has ever been conducted in the state.

The killing of snow leopards came to light while the state government was organising seminars on protecting species. According to estimates, there are only around 3,500 snow leopards in the world and out of these around 500 are in the five Indian states.

Wildlife officials of these states recently met at Leh to discuss launching of the Operation Snow Leopard to protect the species.