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The Amarnath Accord, signed between the Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) and the government, under which the Shrine Board would be making temporary use of 40-hectares of land during the yatra period, drew mixed reaction from parties in Jammu and Kashmir. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti decried it as a “unilateral decision” and stated that the decision over-ruled the sensitivities of the state’s majority community. She charged that “Jammu appeasement policy will further increase the alienation of Kashmiris." Former Chief Minister and NC leader Farooq Abdullah termed the accord as “a very good sign1.” Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani rejected the agreement2.
Meanwhile, senior separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik were released on September 1. They were arrested after defying orders and marched towards Lal Chowk in Srinagar on August 253.
JKLF chairman Yasin Malik meanwhile on September 2 called on India and Pakistan to recognize Kashmir as an “independent sovereign” country and added that the people of Kashmir would accommodate the concerns of both the countries4.
In other developments, Independents registered an overwhelming victory in the second general election of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, by bagging 17 out of 26 seats. National Conference and Indian National Congress won six and one seat respectively, while he results of two seats were yet to be declared5.
- 1. “PDP flays accord, NC welcomes it,” Daily Excelsior, September 1, 2008, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/08sep01/news.htm#7
- 2. Geelani rejects agreement between SAYSS. Govt,” Kashmir Times, September 3, 2008, at http://kashmirtimes.com/main.htm
- 3. “Geelani, Malik, Mirwaiz freed on Ramzan eve,” Kashmir Times, September 2, 2009, at http://kashmirtimes.com/front.htm
- 4. “India, Pak should recognize J&K as independent, sovereign: Yasin,” Kashmir Times, September 3, 2008, at http://kashmirtimes.com/news2.htm
- 5. “Independents sweep LAHDC Kargil polls,” Kashmir Times, September 6, 2008, at http://kashmirtimes.com/news7.htm