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Indian Prime Minister Appeals for Calm in Kashmir

   Ira Mellman | Washington 15 August 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   Indian  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh salutes chiefs of Army, Navy and
   Air  Force  after  addressing  the nation from the Red Fort on India's
   Independence Day, in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010.

   India's  leader  has used part of his Independence Day address to call
   for an end to violence in Kashmir.
   The  appeal  for  an  end to the ongoing street protests in Kashmir by
   Prime  Minister  Manmohan Singh came one day after two more protestors
   were  killed  in  clashes  with  security  forces in Indian controlled
   Kashmir. The protests have lead to 57 deaths over the past two months.
   The protestors have set official buildings and vehicles on fire during
   the  almost  daily  protests.  Kashmir  is  divided  between India and
   Pakistan  but claimed by both countries. However, anti-India sentiment
   runs  deep  in  the  Indian  controlled  portion, with most reportedly
   favoring either independence from India or a merger with Pakistan.
   In  his  30  minute  speech, the Prime Minister said his government is
   ready  to hold talks, saying "the years of violence should now end and
   that  such violence will not benefit anyone." The speech was delivered
   in  New  Delhi  marking  India's Independence Day which was the end of
   British  colonial  rule  in 1947 and the partitioning of the territory
   into  India  and Pakistan. That split has lead to tensions between the
   two nations and triggered three wars, two of them over Kashmir.
   Prime Minister Singh's address was delivered as he stood behind bullet
   proof  glass.  The  entire  city  of  New Delhi had been turned into a
   virtual  fortress  with  nearly  80,000 police and troops guarding the
   capitol  city.  The  United States had warned in an advisory last week
   about the possibility of Islamic attacks in Indian cities as it marked
   the Independence Day.

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