The Hindu : Front Page : Jammu agitation ends

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Monday, Sep 01, 2008
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Jammu agitation ends

Shujaat Bukhari

State government-Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti sign pact

Photo: PTI

FOR MAINTAINING PEACE: Police chase away people attempting to take out a “victory” rally, in defiance of curfew, in Jammu on Sunday. —

SRINAGAR: The two-month long agitation in Jammu over the Amarnath land issue ended on Sunday following an agreement between the government and the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), which spearheaded the stir.

The compromise formula, clinched in the early hours of Sunday, was evolved after hectic deliberations between Governor N.N. Vohra’s four-member panel and the Samiti members. Both sides had held three rounds of talks and the fourth one that started late on Saturday evening and continued till 4 a.m. on Sunday morning, proved to be decisive.

Informed sources said time was consumed mostly on choosing the terminology of the draft as both sides had a stake in it. While the Samiti wanted to sell it in Jammu, the government made every effort to make it palatable in Kashmir.

The agreement, signed by S.S. Belorea, panel head and Adviser to the Governor, and Leela Karan Sharma, SAYSS head, says that the land has been set aside exclusively for use by the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) which, however, would not have any proprietary/title rights on it and shall not raise any permanent structures thereon.

“The board can use the land for raising temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities and setting up of the shops by shopkeepers, says the agreement. As per the pact, the land will remain in use by the SASB according to its requirements, from time to time, for raising various facilities that include raising temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities, establishing tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the State), setting up shops by shopkeepers, providing facilities for Ponywallahs and Pithuwallahs, ensuring healthcare and medical facilities, setting up free “langars” by private persons and groups that are licensed by the Board and making available facilities for helicopter operations/parking of vehicles and other arrangements.

It was further agreed that the Board shall continue to remain responsible for the arrangements of the yatra on both routes during the yatra period, including all arrangements as mandated under the provisions of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Act, 2000 A.D.

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