There was no violence during the procession, But mass involvement in chanting of anti-India slogans and display of flag of the separatists Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) added to the existing sense of insecurity of the minorities. Reports here say that over half a million people participated in the procession.
Mr. Swani Raj Sharma deputy commissioner of Jammu, denied that there was any fresh exodus from Kashmir, but about 1,000 migrants were seen in the Geeta Bhawan on Tuesday, registering themselves with the coordination committee and getting their free ration entitlement slips,
Asked why they had come, Most of the migrants gave a Stock reply: “It (Kashmir) has become Pakistan.” On the dictates of the separatists, the watches and clocks have been set to Pakistani time (which is half an hour behind Indian time) sign boards have been painted green, even Sikhs are asked to Wear only green turbans and the sale of ‘jhatka” meat has been banned.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 16, 1990
