This Article is From Jun 06, 2009

The Kashmir valley simmers again

AP image

Srinagar:

Sever days of protests, seven days of violence. Srinagar has shut down at the peak of the tourist season.

India's youngest Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is now monitoring the situation personally. But the anger over the death of 2 women  in Shopian district of south Kashmir last week refuses to die down.

The allegation is that they were raped and killed.

Egged on by Omar's political rivals the PDP and the separatists, the Valley is burning again. The government's task has been made even more difficult after one person died and a 100 others were injured in the clashes.

The Opposition has found a cause: Targetting Omar is the task at hand.

Says PDP president Mehbooba Mufti: "There is sense of insecurity now."

The separatists trying to use the controversy to push for demilitarization of Kashmir. Hardliner Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has given a call for strike for another two days.

It is Omar's toughest challenge yet. Police investigations have not given any clear direction to whether the women were murdered or if they drowned by accident.

Says J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah: "If family want they can file a fresh FIR. They should go to nearest police station and file it. And we will investigate it. Opposition is just making this an issue for no reason."

As dusk sets in on the Valley, so does the fatigue. Protestors and administrators go home. The challenge for the state is to keep the peace.

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