Srinagar, April 23 -- Kashmir on Wednesday witnessed spontaneous gatherings-people holding placards, chanting slogans for peace, and lighting candles in memory of the victims. What stood out was the collective message cutting across religious lines: this wasn't a Hindu-Muslim issue, but a human tragedy.

"Ye mazhab ki ladai nahi hai (this is not a fight of religion)," said a local man during a protest in Srinagar.

"We are ashamed that such an incident happened on our soil," he said.

Emotions and anger ran high, many wiping away tears. In Lal Chowk, an elderly man, his hands trembling, was heard saying, "I wish I could hang them myself, near the clock tower."

"This image of ours is being ruined. I hope, and I urge the government, to fin...