VHP's Chakka Jam disrupts normal life

New Delhi/Srinagar, Aug 13: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) combine on Wednesday, Aug 13 began its nationwide protest ' Chakka Jam' against the cancellation of land transfer to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) by blocking roads and disrupting train services across the country.

VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia said: "The Centre must give the land to the Amarnath shrine board, otherwise our protest will continue." VHP activists began their protest in the national capital at about 9 am, blocking roads in at least 20 places, including ITO, Moolchand, Dwarka, Pitampura and Deepali Chowk. Vehicles heading to schools and hospitals have been exempted.

After Tuesday Aug 12's violent clashes in Jammu and Kashmir, where 15 protesters were killed in police firing for defying curfew, the situation is simmering. The entire Kashmir Valley is under curfew for the first time in 13 years after the protests in the tense Kashmir region spread in escalating violence that left 18 people dead in firing in the past few days.

However, the curfew was relaxed in Srinagar from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, and the relaxation would be extended if the 3-hour period passes peacefully, official sources said.

The all-party delegation led by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, which met in New Delhi on Monday, appealed to all the concerned groups from Jammu as well as the Kashmir Valley to work for restoring peace and normalcy in the State.

Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Omar Farooq has also appealed for a peaceful agitation.

ANI