Srinagar: June 24, 2008 - The row over the transfer of forestland to the Amarnath shrine board in Jammu and Kashmir has claimed its first victim.

The man, who was wounded in CRPF firing during protests in Srinagar on Monday, has died.

Over the past few weeks, the fight over the Amarnath shrine issue has descended into an ugly Hindu-Muslim discourse, now leading to violence in the state capital.

Raging protests

Protests are being held in several areas. The opposition National Conference, the separatist group the Hurriyat as well members of the ruling coalition have opposed the transfer of land.

BJP workers also blocked the highway at Nagrota, 20 km from Jammu.

They burnt tyres and torched effigies of PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for opposing the transfer of land for Amarnath pilgrims.

These protests come almost a month after the Jammu and Kashmir government transferred 100 acres of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board - the body that organises the Amarnath yatra.

The land was supposed to be used to build facilities for Amarnath pilgrims.

But political parties such as opposition National Conference and constituents of the coalition government - the PDP and CPM - oppose the transfer.

Environmentalists also say that the project in Baltal and Domail threatens the forests.

Separatists like the Hurriyat allege that it's a conspiracy to settle non-local Hindus in the Valley with a view to reducing the Muslims to a minority.

Now questions are being raised whether religious institutions should remain under the state's control, as right now, the Governor heads the Hindu shrine board and the chief minister heads the Muslim Wakfs.

After UPA, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh has words of warning for the Left parties as well.

In another exclusive interview to NDTV, he has said that Left is keeping the UPA government alive.