Marriage boom takes a beating due to unrest in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 10 : Marriages in Jammu and Kashmir are getting postponed because of the current unrest over the Amarnath Shrine Board land transfer issue.

Local newspapers in the state are regularly publishing news about the cancellation of marriages due to the unrest.

"Due to the current situation in the state, and especially the road blockade, many marriages have been cancelled. In marriages here, we have to prepare several varieties of meat and chicken," said Rafiqa Biagum, a resident.

The dealers supplying meat to the people said they feel bad as it is the marriage season and people are not able to enjoy it.

"We are suffering a lot we have taken advance from the people. People do lot of preparations for marriages," says Khazir Mohammad, a mutton wholesale dealer.

In Jammu, thousands of people have been protesting against revocation of the order transferring about 100 acres of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

The dispute began after the Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the transfer of forestland to the trust that runs the Amarnath shrine and pilgrimage. But Muslims in Kashmir are opposed to giving such huge swathes of land to a particular community, even it is being used for the temporary accomodation of pilgrims.

The government subsequently revoked its earlier order, and this has angered Hindu-dominated Jammu. By Afzal Bhat

ANI