 |
India
News from Kashmir, Orissa, W.Bengal and Bihar
Article published on the 2008-08-31 Latest update 2008-09-01 12:22 TU
Security personnel during a protest in Kaashmir
(Photo: Reuters)
Hindus in Indian-run Kashmir have suspended two-months of protests after the government agreed to allow a Hindu trust to temporarily manage land during an annual pilgrimage in the majority-Muslim state. In the state of Orissa two people were injured when police fired on rioters during ongoing Hindu-Christian violence. Officials in flood-hit Bihar says that thousands remain stranded.
In Kashmir, under the new deal, the 40 hectares of land will be available to the Shri Amarnthji Shrine Board every year but only temporarily. Any tents and shops can only be set up by Kashmiris.
Plans to donate the land where the shrine is situated to the board sparked huge demonstrations by Muslims who believed that the federal government wanted to change the demographics of the area.
The decision was reversed in July, prompting Hindus to block the main highway and impose an economic blockade on the valley.
Christians set up tent shelters in Orissa
(Photo: Reuters)
In Orissa state, where a bout of Hindu-Christian violence was sparked a week ago after the killing of a Hindu-nationalist preacher, two people were injured when police fired on rioters in Koraput district late Saturday.
Violence in the Kandhamal district, where it has been most intense, is reported to have declined.
Thousands of people, mainly Christians, have fled to the jungle or government shelters after their houses were burnt down.
In West Bengal, thousands of protesters again stopped construction of a factory which is due to produce Tata motors' Nano car. A team of Japanese experts helping the company went home after work was suspended.
In Bihar, officials say that more than 300,000 people trapped in India's worst floods in 50 years have been rescued but nearly double that number remain stranded without food or water.
About 60 people have died and three million have been affected since the Kosi river breached its banks earlier this month on the border with Nepal and changed course.
