Jammu (PTI): The Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) on Friday decided to extend its agitation till August 14, a day before an all-party delegation from New Delhi is to arrive in an effort to resolve the dispute over transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB). The decision was taken at the SASS meeting in which 250 members were present.

Some members said in the meeting that the bandh in Jammu should be extended by three days. But most said it should be extended for a longer period to send a strong signal to the Centre that the SASS remains firm on its stand. The meeting presided over by Samiti member Brig (retd) Suchet Singh ultimately decided to extend the agitation till August 14. The SASS is a group of about 28 social and political outfits like the Shiv Sena, the BJP, the Transport Union and the Jammu Bar Association.

It has been demanding allocation of forest land to the SASB for setting up temporary pre-fabricated structures for Amarnath pilgrims. The land was transferred on May 26 but the issue triggered massive protests in Kashmir.

The government rescinded the order on July 1 which quelled street protests in the valley but triggered counter-agitation in the Jammu region. A delegation of leaders from major political parties led by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil is expected to arrive here tomorrow to explore ways to break the deadlock as agitations continue in Jammu as well as in Srinagar.