Amarnath row hots up, PDP pulls out of govt

  • 28/06/2008

  • Times Of India (New Delhi)

M Saleem Pandit | TNN Srinagar: The Congress-led government in J&K was on the brink of collapse on Saturday after PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti marched to governor N N Vohra's office in Srinagar and handed in a letter withdrawing support to the government. The move came amidst spiralling violence over the decision to build facilities for Amarnath pilgrims near Sonmarg and Pahalgam and transfer of land to the shrine board. The PDP and separatistbacked protests have led to mobs taking over streets in Muslim-majority areas, attacking yatris. On Saturday, at least 30 people were injured in Srinagar and other cities as police fired in the air and used teargas as well as canes on protesters. On Friday, a woman protester was killed after being hit by a teargas shell, taking the week's toll to four. Over 250 people, including many cops, have been injured. CM Ghulam Nabi Azad handed a pacifier to PDP on Saturday, removing principal secretary to the governor Arun Kumar, who was CEO of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. It was on his watch that 100 acres of forest land in Domail and Baltal were transferred to the shrine management after a decision by the state cabinet. VHP activists clash with cops during a protest outside J&K House in Delhi