AFP

Srinagar, Sep 1: Hindus in Indian Kashmir on Sunday suspended two-month protests after the government agreed to temporarily provide land to a Hindu trust managing a key pilgrimage in the Muslim-majority region.

Muslims in the Kashmir valley, where the land is located, held huge anti-India demonstrations after state authorities made public their plans in June to donate an area to the trust permanently.

The protesters argued the land transfer was being done to change the demographics in the valley but India says it has never encouraged Hindus to settle in the region.

The decision was reversed in July, in turn angering Hindus who cut off the main highway and imposed an economic blockade on the valley, sparking more protests by Muslims.

At least 39 Muslims and three Hindus have died since June in police shootings on protesters.

Under the new deal, the 40 hectares (100 acres) of land will be available to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board every year but for temporary facilities only.

"The shrine board will now exclusively use the land during the pilgrimage period," said Leela Karan Sharma, the head of a Hindu group that was leading the protests in Hindu-dominated Jammu.

"We are suspending the agitation for now as our main demand has been met."

The news sparked celebrations in Jammu, but authorities immediately imposed a curfew "as a security measure," police officer Manohar Singh said.

"The proprietary status, ownership and title of the land shall not undergo any change," state negotiator S.S. Bloria stressed.

The agreement between the two sides also made it clear that any temporary tents and shops could only be set up by Kashmiris.

The dispute breathed new life into Kashmir's separatist movement as well as soured relations between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over the scenic region.

Kashmiri separatists have rejected the deal.

"We reject this deal. But it is not a major issue for us as we are preoccupied with our freedom struggle," a statement quoted senior separatist Masarat Alam as saying.

Alam has been in hiding since last Saturday when Indian troops started arresting separatist leaders to prevent pro-freedom rallies.

In Indian Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, police Sunday used teargas and fired into the air to disperse hundreds of Muslim demonstrators demanding independence from India. Police said about 10 people were hurt.

The protests took place when authorities briefly relaxed a curfew imposed last Sunday to prevent independence rallies.