What the neighbours think

An editorial in Dawn says 8220;current communal tensions in Indian-occupied Kashmir...

8226;An editorial in Dawn says 8220;current communal tensions in Indian-occupied Kashmir have little to do with Pakistan at the moment, but if they persist they may open up yet another Pandora8217;s box with devastating consequences for regional peace8221;. It further goes on to add: 8220;one hopes that the Indian army command is mindful of the Muslim resentment against its soldiers and that it does not come down with a heavy hand on the local population as it is routinely accused of doing.8221; The basic thrust of the editorial is on maintaining communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and acknowledging the sensitivities of all communities, especially Muslims.

8226; Dawn, in its coverage of Kashmiris protesting the economic blockade in the region and the repercussions, says: 8220;security forces fired teargas and used batons on Thursday against hundreds of angry people were protesting over assaults in occupied Kashmir8221;. The report also states that Yasin Malik, head of the JKLF was hospitalised as his blood pressure dropped. Referring to the transfer of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board it reports: 8220;the government was forced to revoke the land transfer last month after a week of violent protests by Muslims who called the move an attempt to build Hindu settlements in the area and alter the demographics in Kashmir.8221;

8226; Dawn Aug 10 also carried a report that said 8220;rival resistance groups in the Kashmir Valley closed ranks on Saturday against Jammu-based Hindu activists, who have stalled all transport services to Srinagar, and vowed to establish a trade corridor with Muzaffarabad to defy the crippling blockade8221; .

8226; In a report titled 8220; Troops open fire as 250,000 8216;march to Muzaffarabad8217;: APHC leader Sheikh Aziz killed8221; Dawn Aug 12 says 8220;Indian security forces shot to death five Kashmiri protesters headed for the LoC on Monday, including senior Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, his comrades said. Many were injured in the firing8221;. It further notes that 8220;meanwhile, detained Hurriyat leaders Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani have issued a joint statement announcing their decision to continue the march towards the LoC tomorrow8221;. It concludes that: 8220;a complete strike across Kashmir has brought life to a grinding halt8221;.

8226;The News August 12 in a report says : 8220; Indian troops on Tuesday killed 15 more Kashmiri people in the Occupied Kashmir. The protests came the day after Indian troops shot dead leading Kashmiri leader and head of All Parties Hurriat Conference Sheikh Abdul Aziz and four other demonstrators in the disputed valley, the scene of worsening violence. Another report in the same paper says: 8220;the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan on Monday strongly condemned Indian forces8217; firing on peaceful occupied Kashmir marchers towards Chakothi Line of Control, killing several marchers including veteran Kashmiri leader Sh. Abdul Aziz Advocate and seriously wounding over 400 other persons8221;.

8226;The Nation Aug 8 says that India is planning to deploy more troops in J038;K to control the tension.