Protesters-CRPF clash as traders threaten ban amid Amarnath land row

Srinagar, Aug 6 : The violent protests in the Kashmir Valley over the Amarnath land row were flared up when protesters defied curfew and took to the streets here today. There were reports of clashes between pro-Amarnath demonstrators and CRPF men in some areas of Srinagar.

Meanwhile, the Kashmir Traders Federation (KTF) has said that it will snap all business ties with traders in Jammu region and instead buy products directly from other cities like Amritsar and Delhi.

According to media reports, Chairman of the Traders Federation Jan Mohammad Koul said that they have decided to boycott Jammu traders.

"We are not going to buy any goods from them," Koul added.

In another development, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is meeting top leaders of political parties here this evening to discuss measures to calm the situation in the state and seek a consensus on how to end the impasse. Leaders of national and regional political parties, including the PDP and the National Conference, have been invited for the meeting.

The meeting is expected to be attended by top leaders of all political parties, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, BJP chief Rajnath Singh and Left leaders.

On Monday, the Centre had rushed Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh to Jammu to carry out an assessment of the situation. They interacted with the state government and army officials.

Jammu continues to be the epicentre of protests.

A shutdown call given by the Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti, a conglomerate of 35 political, social and religious organisations fighting for the restoration of land to the SASB, entered its 14th day on Tuesday.

The ongoing violence in Jammu is fast assuming communal dimensions and most areas have been placed under curfew.

ANI