The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Srinagar

India's Kashmir valley is facing shortages of food, fuel and medicine as the revolt-hit region is gripped by the worst Hindu-Muslim tensions in decades, locals say.

Angry protesters in Hindu-dominated Jammu in Indian Kashmir have been attacking trucks ferrying supplies to the Muslim-majority valley, seeking to impose an economic blockade and defying an army curfew.

Radical Hindu groups have told Muslims living in Jammu to leave and the latter's houses have been set ablaze.

Meanwhile in Srinagar, urban hub of a 19-year Islamic revolt against New Delhi's rule of the disputed Himalayan region, brick-hurling Muslims have been staging running battles with police and the city has been paralysed by strikes.

Some residents say they have never seen the region so divided.

"Even at the insurgency's peak we never faced such a grim situation. These religious riots are the worst I remember," said shopkeeper Manzoor Ahmed, 50.

"They've driven a wedge between Hindus and Muslims who were living as brothers."

The latest turmoil in which three Hindus have been killed in the past week erupted after the state government reneged on a plan to transfer land to a Hindu trust shrine.

The government backed down on the plan after days of riots by Muslim separatists who charged it was the start of "Hindu colonisation" left six dead and hundreds injured.

The Congress-led state government, which also rules at the national level, said it devised the plan to transfer land -- 100 acres (40 hectares) -- to the shrine trust as pilgrim numbers were rising and more shelters were needed.

But some analysts believe the move was politically motivated, aimed at winning Hindu votes ahead of state polls due in September or October.

"There was no need to transfer the land, the arrangements had worked well for years," said local columnist M. Ashraf.

The state government collapsed over the issue last month after its main ally withdrew support and the scenic region has been put under federal rule.

The row has given new life to the separatist movement and stoked divisions in Kashmir which was enjoying a lull in violence against the backdrop of India's peace process with Pakistan to settle the region's future.

"This is the most polarised situation I've seen in a generation," said Omar Abdullah, head of the Kashmir-based National Conference Party.