Strike over Amarnath trust land row hits several states
3 Jul 2008, 2126 Hrs

Transport and businesses in several states remained closed on Thursday, as protesters blocked roads, smashed vehicles and stopped trains

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Mumbai/Dehradun, July 3 (ANI): The country witnessed violence and anger during the nationwide shutdown, imposed by the Bharatiya Janata Party against the revocation of allotted forestland by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Transport and businesses in several states remained closed on Thursday, as protesters blocked roads, smashed vehicles and stopped trains.

In Mumbai, protesters turned violent in Mumbai and disrupted traffic on the streets.

Angry protesters pelted stones at the public transport and caused damage to the public property.

Ram Nayak, Senior leader, BJP, while heading the protests said that the Prime Minister needs to break his silence on the serious issue facing the nation.

"Prime Minister has kept mum on country's most important issue. He should break his silence and say something on this issue and that's what we now demand," said Nayak.

Carrying party flags and wearing saffron turbans, Hindu protesters shouted "Kashmir hamara hai" as they forced traders to close shops.

Reportedly, hundreds of protesters blocked traffic on the highway from the domestic airport for more than half-an-hour.

Officials informed that curfew has been imposed in parts of thane following the violence in the region.

"During the shutdown, cases of scuffle were noticed, where people resorted to stone pelting and two groups came out against each other. After controlling that situation, curfew has been imposed in three areas of Thane," said Chadrakant Vaghade, Additional Commissioner of Police.

In Dehradun, protesters blocked the railway tracks and stopped the trains. Anti-government slogans were raised as they demanded transfer of forestland back to the shrine board.

The government was forced to back down after Muslim protesters shut down Kashmir last week over the transfer of land issue, a move that has angered Hindus in the country.

At least five people were shot dead by police during the demonstrations against the government decision to hand over nearly 100 acres (40 hectares) of forestland to the shrine Board for building temporary shelter for pilgrims. (ANI)