Day Curfew lifted in Jammu, life remains affected
24 Aug 2008, 1501 Hrs

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Jammu, Aug 24 (ANI): Though the day curfew has been completely lifted from Jammu, Samba and Udhampur, normal life remains affected in the region with shops, business and educational establishments remaining closed and transport off the road.

In border township of Poonch, curfew remains imposed following clashes between two groups on Saturday. Nearly 40 shops were set on fire and 20 damaged and several people including police personnel injured in the fresh violence.

Curfew was relaxed in Hiranagar township of Kathua District from 7:00 p.m. last night to 5:00 a.m. this morning.

Upset with the ongoing agitations students are demanding an end to the protests and violence in the region.

Daily protests and agitations by the activists demanding the land back for the Amarnath shrine, has taken a toll on everything in the region. Schools and colleges have been closed for a long time as the agitations make it difficult to carry out the classes.

The students lament loss in their studies and want an end to the situation with a peaceful solution.

"The students are the worst suffered lot. It is examination time, but because of the agitations and protests, our colleges are closed. Had it not been for the agitations, we would have got our degrees in two or three months, and we would have been practising law by now. But, unfortunately no solution has been derived for the situation till now, and we are suffering because of it," said Zushain Ali Khan, a law student.

The worst fear of students is that they will lag behind while other students in the country are making progress in their curriculum.

They are requesting the activists to stop with the agitations and let them study in peace.

"Please, it is my sincere request to the people to let our schools and colleges open, we want to study. It doesn't make sense to promote students to another class without examinations. There should be an end to the situation, you cannot go on fighting for two or three years without any resolve. The situation has to come to an end, so why not now?" said Harleen Kaur, a school student.

Jammu has been rocked by violent protests and demonstrations and shutdown for nearly two months since the State Government's revocation order of transfer of forestland to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Meanwhile, the four member committee appointed by the State Governor N N Vohra and the four member team of the Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti concluded three rounds of talks on Saturday to find a solution to the land dispute. After the conclusion of three rounds of talks both the sides described these as progressive and fruitful.

Dr. S.S. Bloeria, who led the four member official team and Advisor to J-K Governor, said the fourth round of talks could be held in two to three days. (ANI)