•An editorial in Dawn says “current communal tensions in Indian-occupied Kashmir have little to do with Pakistan at the moment, but if they persist they may open up yet another Pandora’s box with devastating consequences for regional peace”. It further goes on to add: “one hopes that the Indian army command is mindful of the Muslim resentment against its soldiers and that it does not come down with a heavy hand on the local population as it is routinely accused of doing.” The basic thrust of the editorial is on maintaining communal harmony in Jammu and Kashmir and acknowledging the sensitivities of all communities, especially Muslims.

• Dawn, in its coverage of Kashmiris protesting the economic blockade in the region and the repercussions, says: “security forces fired teargas and used batons on Thursday against hundreds of angry people were protesting over assaults in occupied Kashmir”. The report also states that Yasin Malik, head of the JKLF was hospitalised as his blood pressure dropped. Referring to the transfer of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board it reports: “the government was forced to revoke the land transfer last month after a week of violent protests by Muslims who called the move an attempt to build Hindu settlements in the area and alter the demographics in Kashmir.”

• Dawn (Aug 10) also carried a report that said “rival resistance groups in the Kashmir Valley closed ranks on Saturday against Jammu-based Hindu activists, who have stalled all transport services to Srinagar, and vowed to establish a trade corridor with Muzaffarabad to defy the crippling blockade” .

... contd.