Handwara, Dec 24: The deadlock between villagers and army over occupation of graveyard at Zachaldara Handwara was resolved Thursday evening as the troops decided to vacate the land in a meeting with district administration.
 “The army has agreed to vacate the graveyard forthwith,” said an official of the district administration. This followed massive protests for the second day by thousands of people against occupation of the graveyard by troopers.
 Reports said MLA Langate Er. Rashid, MLA Handwara Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Showkat Ahmed Mir and DIG AQ Manhas held a meeting with army officers at Dak Bungalow Handwara in which the troops agreed to vacate the graveyard.
 The residents alleged that following protests on Wednesday, troopers last night fenced a portion of the graveyard. “They had sought 10 days to vacate the graveyard yesterday, but this morning we were shocked to see it fenced,” locals said.
 As the news of the fencing spread, thousands of people took to streets in Zachaldara demanding vacation of the graveyard and shifting of the army camp from the area.
 Raising slogans like ‘Fauji Raj Namanzoor (army rule not acceptable),’ the people tried to march towards Handwara but were stopped by police at Baghatpora.
 MLA Langate, Er. Rashid, said, “It is people’s victory, India should read the writing on the wall.”
 MLA Handwara, Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan said he supported the people’s agitation. “I am also supporting the people’s demand for evacuation of graveyard. This is a condemnable incident,” he said.
 ‘Punish troops for desecrating graves’
 Local residents said the troops had desecrated graves while levelling the graveyard. “The troops should be punished for this gory crime. They don’t have even spared the dead. We couldn’t find the grave of my wife who passed away two months ago. Where would we offer Fateha?” asked Fayaz Ahmed Shiekh, a local resident.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Dec 2009 00:00:00 IST