Date:24/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/24/stories/2006122400501800.htm

National

A debate in Kashmir

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: A television channel airing on December 17 hour-long footage of the burning of a live bear in November by a group of people in Mandoora village in Tral in South Kashmir has led to outrage — and a debate — here. Animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi joined the debate.

Following the TV coverage, the police arrested six people, but that step in turn evoked strong protests in Tral, where people complained that the bear had injured at least 15 people. The police defended their action citing questions of law and order and the provisions of the Wildlife Act.

The issue was further complicated after Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Yasin Malik joined issue with Maneka Gandhi. "We do understand that what the people have done was not right, but is there any concern about [the] day-to-day killing of human beings in Kashmir?" he asked. "It is a horrible incident and a matter of grave concern... The bear was roasted alive... . It is a shame on society," said Ishrat of the non-governmental organisation Global Green Peace Kashmir.

The same day the coverage was aired, the 70-year-old headman of Tarigam village was shot by the Army in the early hours of the day when he was going to a mosque. "It did not merit even five minutes on the same channel... but the bear coverage was for an hour," said Shazia Khan, a writer. She said different news values were being applied while reporting Kashmir.