New Delhi - Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of India's Jammu and Kashmir state quit on Monday after a coalition partner withdrew support to his minority government over a controversy over transferring land to a Hindu shrine.

Azad submitted his resignation to the state governor after a week of protests over the land transfer decision which was later cancelled by the government.

Kashmiri Muslims alleged the decision to transfer 99 acres of government land to the Amarnath shrine board was aimed at settling Hindus in India's only Muslim majority state.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Hindus, based in southern Jammu district, have been protesting against the government's decision to cancel its order.

Five people have died and over 500 injured in the violent protests which spread to other parts of India.

Following the protests, the People's Democratic Party, withdrew support to Azad's minority Congress Party government.

State legislature elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir in October. The governor may now call other parties to form a coalition government. But if these parties fail to muster a majority, the state may see yet another stint of federal rule or the elections may be brought forward.

Kashmiri separatist militants have already called for a boycott of the elections which they term a farce.

More than 40,000 people - civilians, militants and security forces personnel - have been killed in violence and bloodshed in the picturesque Himalayan region since a separatist militant movement peaked in the late 1980s. (dpa)