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Monday, Aug 18, 2008
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Sangharsh Samiti ready for talks

Vinay Kumar

Says Centre adopting biased approach towards Jammu

NEW DELHI: Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti (SASS), spearheading the agitation on the Amarnath land transfer issue, on Sunday said it had received an invitation from Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra for talks, but would like the concrete proposals and agenda sent to it.

Addressing a press conference here, leaders of the Samiti alleged that a “wrong indication” had been given that the Samiti was against the process of dialogue to resolve the Amarnath land row.

The Governor had named a four-member panel for talks with the Samiti after the August 6 all-party meeting here called for dialogue to end the prolonged agitation. However, the initiative has not made any headway so far.

“We have nothing against Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, but Kashmir-centric political leaders are playing havoc with common people in the State. We want to make it clear that there cannot be any appeasement of Kashmir valley at the cost of Jammu region. The Centre is adopting a biased approach towards Jammu,” the Samiti leaders alleged.

Vowing to continue its agitation until the controversial piece of land at Baltal was restored to the Shrine Board, SASS convenor Leela Karan Sharma charged the Central government with remaining a “mute spectator.”

Blaming the “wrong policies” of the Centre for the present crisis in the State, Mr. Sharma said that if the government wanted to save the country from terrorism, it had to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Jammu.

The Samiti objected to the handing over of the management of the Amarnath Yatra to the State Tourism Department, saying it had no locus standi in handling Hindu religious affairs. Asked if the Samiti would continue its agitation even when the Yatra was over, Mr. Sharma replied in the affirmative.

He said the Samiti was ready for talks to find an amicable solution to the present crisis.

“We are not against dialogue. We are not against ordinary Kashmiri people. What we want is the piece of land at Baltal and there should be no interference in the affairs of the Shrine Board. This is related to the pride and honour of the whole of India,” he said.

Asked whether there was any possibility of taking a “middle path” to resolve the issue, Mr. Sharma quipped: “If there is any, it should come from the government. We are open to it.”

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