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Jammu: Hindus in Kashmir called off their two-month protest after the government allowed them temporary use of land at the centre of a religious row for an annual pilgrimage, officials said on Sunday.
At least 38 people have been killed so far and more than 1,000 wounded in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, pitting Hindus in Jammu against Muslims in the Kashmir valley, the two main regions that make up the state.
The dispute began over a piece of forest land near a Hindu shrine, but snowballed into some of the biggest pro-independence demonstrations in Muslim-majority Kashmir since a revolt against Indian rule broke out in 1989.
Authorities re-imposed a curfew in many areas of Kashmir after briefly relaxing it earlier in the day, as protesters clashed with police in Srinagar, the summer capital.
Firing
At least six people were wounded when police fired rubber bullets and tear gas shells and used batons to disperse hundreds of demonstrators.
Indian troops have been criticised by Kashmiris and international human rights groups for using excessive force, as several rounds of talks with protesters on either side failed.
Yesterday, officials and Hindu protesters reached an agreement to use the disputed forest land to build temporary shelters, ending protests in Jammu city.
"We are temporarily suspending our strike," Leela Karan Sharma, a Hindu protest leader said, as Hindus burst fire crackers in the streets to celebrate the agreement.
But authorities imposed a curfew in Jammu city to prevent any retaliatory violence and more rallies.
The dispute began in June after the state government promised to give forest land to a trust that runs Amarnath, a cave shrine visited by Hindu pilgrims to pray by an ice stalagmite.
Key partner
Muslims were enraged at the decision, forcing the government to change its mind as the People's Democratic Party (PDP), a key partner in Kashmir's ruling coalition withdrew support from the Congress party-led state government.
Hindus in Jammu, angered by the government U-turn, attacked lorries carrying supplies to the Kashmir Valley and blocked the region's highway.
Challenging the blockade, Muslims took to the streets in Kashmir and clashed with police as separatists united to launch some of the biggest pro-independence demonstrations in Kashmir.
At least 39 Muslims and three Hindus have died since June in police shootings on protesters.
Under the new deal, the 100 acres of land will be available to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board every year but for temporary facilities only.
"The shrine board will now exclusively use the land during the pilgrimage period," said Sharma.
"The proprietary status, ownership and title of the land shall not undergo any change," state negotiator S.S. Bloria stressed.
The agreement reached between the two sides also made it clear that any temporary tents and shops could only be set up by Kashmiri locals.
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