Jammu, August 17
Over 2,000 migrant labourers of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh and other states, reached the Jammu railway station in about 20 SRTC buses this morning and boarded trains for their natives places.

Since the past couple of days, the Malwa Express, Superfast and the Sealdah Express have been jampacked, with migrants wanting to reach home.

Swarms of migrant labourers, while talking to The Tribune at the Jammu railway station, said: “Since August 10, fanatics have been issuing diktats and forcing us to either join the Muzaffarabad march or face consequences.”

Bilas Gupta, a labourer from Bihar said: “The situation had been volatile from the past over a month. But it took an ugly turn on August 14 when fanatics started targeting us. Some fanatics even stormed our clusters in the Brain locality.” They not only used filthy language but also assaulted us and asked us to leave the valley, he added.

Airing similar views, Chabeela and Munna, both labourers from the Motiyari district of Bihar said: “Announcements were made warning non-state subjects to immediately leave the valley or get killed.”

Mohammed Khudabaksh, a labourer from Bihar said: “They used abusive language, called us names, stormed our slums and pelted stones on our dwellings.”

Gore Lal, another labourer from Chattisgarh, while boarding the Jammu-Tawi-Hatia Express train said: “Like several others, I want to reach home as soon as possible.”

Abdul Rehman and Mohammed Shafi from Uttar Pradesh, said their families were attacked by a frenzied mob at Khanpur yesterday. “The fanatics said only Kashmiri Muslims would remain in the valley, while others will have to leave,” they added.

A police officer deployed at the railway station said: “The fanatics have made not only made it an issue between Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris, but have also not spared poor labourers.”

Meanwhile, SRTC buses have also started charging exorbitant rates ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 500 as against the fixed rate of Rs 180 per passenger for travelling to Jammu from Srinagar.

Jammu, August 17
The Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti has decided to intensify its stir and court arrest from tomorrow. "The samiti has decided to intensify the ongoing stir as we are concerned over the delaying tactics being adopted by the Centre in restoring land to the Amarnath Shrine Board," a spokesman of the samiti said. “Lakhs of people will court arrest on August 18 while on August 19 women will court arrest followed by children on August 20."

"Both state and central governments have maintained a criminal silence over the misdeeds of fanatics and fundamentalist forces who have let loose a reign of terror in the valley and are threatening non-Kashmir people," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said due to the threats of "fanatic forces more than 400 Durbar Move employees, belonging to the minority community, have already fled from the valley to save their lives and now these forces have been threatening all minority community members to leave the valley as early as possible."

The spokesman said: "The recent statement of DGP Kuldeep Khoda is a glaring example how the local police is dancing to the tune of secessionists and fundamentalist forces. Instead of taking strict action against those who hoisted the Pakistani flag and torched the Indian Tricolour, the DGP seemed to be virtually tendering an apology to those who were involved in anti-national activities"

The samiti blamed the state police for showing a bias during the Kishtwar riots where it alleged that a PDP leader was involved.

"It is clear that PDP leader Farooq Ahmed Mir had instigated the mob to attack the minority community members and he was himself leading the people who attacked some business establishments of Hindus. No action so far has been taken against Farooq Ahmed Mir," the spokesman said.

Srinagar, August 17
National Conference president and MP Omar Abdullah here today stressed the need for a sustained dialogue with the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti, Jammu, and coordination committee, Srinagar, to resolve the ongoing crisis. He also urged India and Pakistan to end ceasefire violations and continue dialogue process for restoration of peace in the region.

Expressing concern over the present situation that has snowballed into a communal divide between the two regions, Omar lamented that the Centre was resorting to dialogues when the situation was out of hands. “We have repeatedly said Kashmir is not an economic issue. We want India and Pakistan to bring out a solution that is acceptable to all,” Omar said while addressing a press conference here today. He held that New Delhi had failed in its promises made by former Prime Ministers, including Narasimha Rao and Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Omar blamed the administration for the present crisis and added that the security forces had exhibited restraint in Jammu contrary to that in Kashmir division. He sought to allow people giving vent to their anger and appealed people in both regions to help in restoration of peace. There should be “sustained dialogue and discussions” with the agitators for an acceptable solution to both sides, he said. He condemned the role of those who claimed Kashmir as the crown adding that the very people were responsible for the economic blockade of the valley. Omar held that his party was for opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for trade purposes. But, he added: “If we have processions like this, it will weaken our stand.” Indo-Pak dialogue was the only way out to help resolve the issue and sought the two sides amicably to work upon opening the road for trade purposes. If this had been done on time, there would have been no question of the agitation as a result of the “economic blockade” of Jammu.

Udhampur, August 17
Tension flared up in Udhampur town and adjoining localities when the police arrested Pawan Khajuria, president of the state Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha (BJYM), and some other activists while staging a demonstration in support of the demands of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti.

Hundreds of people gathered outside Udhampur police station and shouted slogans against the police for arresting the BJYM president and other youths. Some miscreants also pelted stones on some shops. The windowpanes of more than six vehicles were smashed by the mob. The people staged a dharna outside the police station. The enraged mob was pacified when all arrested persons were released.

In connection with the on-going agitation of the sangharsh samiti, a large number of youths under the leadership of Pawan Khajuria staged a massive demonstration in the town. Shouting anti-government slogans, the youth tried to block traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar highway but their attempt was foiled by the troops deployed there.

After being chased away by the troops, the youths took out a march in the town. During their demonstration, processionists smashed the windowpanes of some vehicles. They also ransacked some shops.

As the procession started swelling with agitators, the police arrested the state BJYM president and other some other leaders who were leading the mob. All arrested leaders were taken to Udhampur police station and were later released. 

Mandi (Poonch), August 17
The agitation over the Amarnath land row has seriously affected the flow of pilgrims to the Buddha Amarnath yatra this year. The Buddha Amarnath pilgrimage is considered the equivalent of the Amarnath yatra in its religious sanctity.

The yatra, which concluded on August 14, also witnessed Muslims staying away from the religious affair, following alleged attacks on its community members between Akhnoor and Nowshera, on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway.

“The main religious function of the week-long pilgrimage is held on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan wherein the procession of Chhari Mubarak starts from Akhara Mandir in Poonch to here. Thousands of devotees and sadhus “normally” accompany the procession which leads towards the Swami Buddha Amarnath mandir here on foot. While on way from Poonch to Mandi, free langar is also provided to pilgrims. Stalls are set up and Muslims welcome the pilgrims and Chhari Mubarak by providing them refreshment en-route”, said one of the religious priests.

“The procession reaches Rajpura on the same day, where it is received by the district administration, people and workers of the trust at the gate of the Swami Buddha Amarnath mandir and the Chhari Mubarak. From there it is taken to the main shrine”, he added.

Sources in the district administration said whereas the number of pilgrims visiting the Buddha Amarnath Shrine here last year was close to 1 lakh, the number of pilgrims this year was just around 12,000. They attributed the decrease in the number of pilgrims due to the Amarnath land row.

The locals said though they used to welcome pilgrims on the day the Chhari Mubarak used to reach here, but since many of their members were beaten up activists of the Bajrang Dal and the BJP along the Jammu-Poonch National Highway, they observed a strike on that particular day.

“A local driver Muhammad Bashir was beaten up by activists of the Bajrang Dal and the BJP near Nowshera on August 9. The activists shaved his beard, took him to a temple and asked him to raise religious slogans of their community. Many girl students returning after appearing in exams at the Aligarh Muslim University were also abused by the activists near Sunderbani. There are instances where the activists also attacked drivers of a particular community after seeing their identity cards. This is shocking”, Aahad Ahmed, a local shopkeeper, said.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner, Poonch, Muhammad Afzal confirmed that this year the rush to pilgrimage was less. “This is largely due to the ongoing Amarnath land row”, the DC said.

Jammu, August 17
Demanding a judicial commission to probe the circumstances that led to the Amarnath land conflict, Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh has appealed to the Kashmiris to keep at bay ‘busy bodies and political hawks’ from their movement for peace and justice.

In a statement issued here today, Bhim Singh while appreciating the secular will demonstrated by the people of the state since 1990 and during recent protests has demanded a high-powered judicial commission to probe the circumstances and situation that led to the land conflict. He also demanded that culprits responsible for the present impasse be brought to book. However, he demanded that Pakistan should also respond to India’s proposal for opening the Muzaffarabad route for trade and tourism.

He also urged Governor N.N. Vohra to amend the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Act, 2000, to include only permanent residents of the state in the board. He once again reiterated his stand that without changing proprietary status of the land in question, it should be handed over to the shrine board so as to end the turmoil. “This shall be acceptable to both Jammu and Kashmir regions, which have been living in peace and brotherhood for over one-and-a-half century,” he said. 

Srinagar, August 17
The PDP has urged the Centre to renew, with a sense of urgency, the peace and resolution process through a purposeful dialogue with all sections of society, including the separatist Hurriyat Conference. This was resolved at a meeting of the political affairs committee presided over by PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which also expressed grief over the loss of human lives during the recent protests across the state. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and other leaders, Abdul Aziz Zargar and Tariq Hameed Karra, were among those who attended the meeting.

While expressing sympathies with the families of those killed at the hands of law- enforcing agencies, the PDP leadership demanded a probe to bring the culprits, responsible for extreme use of force, to book. It also sought to release immediate ex gratia to the families of the deceased and those injured during the protests. Any damage to properties, including homes, shops, vehicles and other business establishments, must also be compensated adequately.

Regarding the prevailing situation, the resolution, while expressing distress over the alleged excessive use of force against the protesters, said the killing of unarmed civilians and ransacking of properties could not be justified and almost similar circumstances had led to eruption of turmoil in the early 1990s. It added that the government must reinforce its resolve to work through peaceful means and through public participation towards restoration of peace in the state.

“The Government of India must, without any further delay, reach out and engage all sections of society, including leaders of the Hurriyat Conference, in a productive dialogue process to resolve the issues”, it added. It urged the government to revive the peace initiative launched by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vapayee and carried forward by Manmohan Singh that had worked well till 2005. Stressing the urgency of lifting the economic blockade of Kashmir, the resolution called for immediate measures to tide over the acute scarcity of life-saving drugs, petroleum products and other essential commodities in the valley and some parts of the Jammu region.

Srinagar, August 17
The district administration today said they would not allow people to assemble near the United Nations Military Observer Group’s office in Sonwar, which houses many mainstream politicians and some sensitive government offices.

This decision comes after the separatists’ call to people to congregate in huge numbers and march towards the UN office to lodge their protests by submitting a memorandum against the killing of 22 persons in firing by security personnel.

Addressing a press conference, SSP S.A. Mujtaba and DC Kachoo Asfandyar said: “We met Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and requested them to call off the proposed rally as it would create a law and order problem.”

The government apprehends that a large gathering, which is inevitable with people's sentiments against government running high, could be a disaster for them if people turn restive. They have been venting ire against mainstream politicians and many houses belonging to them have been vandalised. A number of top leaders, including Farooq Abdullah and many former ministers, are housed there.

The coordination committee, comprising separatists of different parties and religious and social leaders, heading the agitation has shown some relenting by asking people to assemble in the TRC ground and saying that only a handful of leaders would walk to the UN office.

Though a bit of reprieve for cops, the fact that the ground is not far from Sonwar will keep them on tenterhooks. Even in the past, the authorities had not permitted separatists to march to the UN office. Though a delegation of leaders was allowed.

A huge contingent of security forces has been marshalled to prevent any law and order problem. Separatists have also been harping about peaceful demonstrations after the initial two days of violence.

Jammu, August 17
The Muslim Front Jammu (MFJ) today appealed to the police and civil administration to address fear-psychosis among the community and adopt measures to defeat the nefarious designs of anti-national elements, who wanted to divide people on communal lines.

In a meeting held here today, members of the MFJ, while discussing the prevailing situation took serious notice of the rumours being spread by some miscreants.

The members also called upon the police and civil administration to address fear psychosis developing among the Muslim community. The MFJ appealed to the people to frustrate designs of anti-national elements, who were hell bent upon to divide the people on religious lines and create communal disturbances in the state. The members also sought to know from the administration whether there was any truth in speculations making rounds in and around Jammu city and the measures being taken by the administration in this regard.

IGP, Jammu range, K. Rajendra assured the members that the rumours being spread were false and baseless. 

Udhampur, August 17
Even as the Kishtwar police has arrested three persons in connection with arson and looting during riots, minority community of the district has charged the local administration with shielding the real culprits, who had instigated the mob to attack property and loot shops of a particular community.

Fear-stricken minority community termed these arrests as eyewash to hush up the large-scale riots and said instead of reviving confidence of the people, the authorities were forcing them to migrate.

Enraged over, what they called, biased attitude of the authorities, the minority community did not open their shops during curfew relaxation as mark of protest.

“As many as 47 shops of minority community were either looted or set on fire by the rioters in connivance with the police,” rued Rajinder Singh, a resident of Hariyal village where the unruly mob had attacked a marriage function on Tuesday.

Rajinder Singh, who heads Kishtwar unit of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti, pointed out that there was complete communal harmony in the town before August 11. “Even our Muslim brothers were supporting our agitation for the restoration of the land,” he said and blamed some leaders of valley-based political parties of hatching the conspiracy to create communal divide to further political interests of their masters.

Shifting blame on the local administration for riots, Parveen Parihar of Kishtwar rued that unruly mob, instigated by the PDP and Hurriyat leaders, selectively targeted shops and business establishments of minority community but the police had remained a mute spectator.

“What to say of lower rank officials when a district-level police officer was escorting the unruly mob that was selectively targeting business establishments and houses of the minority community,” alleged Rajinder Singh.

Acharya Ram Sharan Dass said in 1980 and 2003 similar incidents of looting had taken place. “The authorities have failed to learn any lesson from those incidents,” he regretted.