Amarnath Accord(full text)

Following is the text read out by Governor’s advisor S S Bloeria and Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti convener Leela Karan Sharma during a joint press conference on Sunday morning.

1. The Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which has been going on for many centuries, is a shining symbol of communal harmony and brotherhood in Jammu & Kashmir and reflective of the state’s composite heritage. The Yatris have been welcomed with open arms by the people of both Jammu and Kashmir  divisions and all required facilities have been made available for them.

Sadly, certain decisions of the state government relating to the Yatra created misunderstandings which led to controversy and agitation and loss of many precious lives. Apart from the damage to property, there has been a colossal loss to the state’s economy in different sectors like transport, trade, industry, horticulture and tourism.

2. The Yatra to Shri Amarnathji Shrine has traditionally benefited a large number of local residents, many of whom have crucial dependence on this annual pilgrimage for their livelihood.

3. There has been no occasion in the past on which the state government has failed to provide the required support for the conduct of the Amarnathji Yatra. On the contrary, the extent and nature of governmental support to the Yatra has been progressively enhancing, from year to year.

4. In view of the need to seek a peaceful resolution of the fundamental issues, to settle all existing doubts and clarify the continuing responsibility of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir had constituted, on 6 August, 2008, a four-member Committee comprising: Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Advisor to Governor Justice

(Retd) Shri G. D. Sharma Prof. Amitabh Mattoo, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu Shri B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

5. The Committee held three rounds of discussions with the four-member Committee nominated by the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) which comprised:-  Shri Tilak Raj Sharma, Brif (Retd), Suchet Singh, rof. Narinder Singh and Shri Pawan Kohli.

6. The Governor has also held discussions with the leaders of political, social, religious, academic and other organizations in the Kashmir Valley. The predominant view, emerging out of the consultations, is that the Amarnath Yatra , which is a centuries old tradition of J&K’s rich composite heritage, will continue to be welcomed and supported by the people of Kashmir, in every possible way.

 It was also felt that while the Shrine Board could  continue to use the land, as in the past, for Yatra purposes, nothing should be done to alienate or transfer the land. While an assuring convergence of views has emerged, the Governor is committed to continuing the consultative process to ensure against any remaining misunderstanding whatsoever on an issue which has earlier led to serious misperceptions and human and economic loss.

Based on detailed discussions and deliberations held in the recent weeks, the following framework of action for resolving the issue relating to the use of land for the period of Yatra by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, at Baltal and Domail, has been agreed to:-

A. The State Government shall set aside for the use by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, exclusively, the land in Baltal and Domail (Compartment No. 63/S, Sindh Forest Division) comprising an area of 800 kanals, traditionally under use for the annual Yatra purposes.

B. The proprietary status/ownership/title of the land shall not undergo any change.

C. The Board shall use the aforesaid land for the duration of the Yatra (including the period of making the required arrangements and winding up of the same) for the purpose of user by various service providers according to its needs and priorities.The aforesaid land shall be used according to the Board’s requirements, from time to time, including for the following:-

 i. Raising of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation and toilet facilities by the Board;

ii. Establishment of tented accommodation by private camping agencies (locals, permanent residents of the state);

 iii. Setting up of the shops by shopkeepers (locals, permanent residents of the state);

 iv. Facilities for Pony Wallas and Pithu Wallas;

 v. Provision of healthcare and medical facilities;

 vi. Setting up of free Langars by private persons and groups which are licensed by the Board;

vii. Facilities for helicopter operations/ parking of vehicles;

viii. Arrangements of security by local police/para-military forces and other security agencies as per the arrangements in place here-to-fore; and

ix. Undertaking measures relating to soil conservation, land protection and preservation of ecology.

7. It has further been agreed that the Board shall continue to remain responsible for the overall arrangements of the Yatra on both the routes during the Yatra period, including all arrangements as mandated under the provisions of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Act, 2000 AD.

8. Apart from the above, the Committee set up by the Samiti had, during the course of discussions, presented a fourteen-point “Charter of Demands” for consideration by the state government.

The main demands relate to withdrawal of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, provision of compensation to the families of the deceased and to the injured and working out of appropriate packages of financial assistance to compensate losses of the transport sector, trade and industry, horticulture sector, hoteliers and tourist operators.

The state government has agreed to examine all these demands in an appropriate manner on time-bound basis.

9. In particular, as regards the registration of criminal cases against various persons during the period of agitation, it is agreed that all cases of non-serious nature which shall mean bailable and compoundable will be withdrawn.

The remaining cases will be reviewed, on the merits of each case, by a Committee headed by Shri Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary (Home) within 60 days. Till the completion of this process, no action will be taken in such cases. Also, specific allegations of atrocities on agitators, based on prima-facie evidence, could also be looked into by this Committee.

10. Ex-gratia relief will be extended in favour of the next of the kin of the deceased and in favour of permanently disabled and the injured in all cases covered under the existing rules of the state government.

11. Further, a Working Group, under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary will address all compensation issues relating to both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions and the Central government will be approached for extending financial support to the state government for this purpose within a period of two months. To make the exercise meaningful, one representative from each of the affected sectors will be associated with the deliberations of the Working Group.

12. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board will be reconstituted keeping in view the provisions of the Act and the past precedents. 

13. It is agreed that the Law Department in the state government will examine the issue of disposal of LPA in terms of the understanding made herein above within one month.

 Sd/-                              Sd/-

Source:rediff.com

(Lila Karan Sharma)           (Dr. S. S. Bloeria)

Convenor                      Advisor to Governor of J&K

Pictures of chakka jam(jammu)and kashmiri muslim protestors

Some pictures of people of jammu protesting(Amarnath land row)

People of valley also protesting..

photo souce:daily excelsior

sepratists v/s nationalists(amarnath land row)

SASS V/S SEPRATISTS (Amarnath row)

The two month old Amarnath land row has clearly unmasked some of the so called mainstream politicians of Kashmir including Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah.

The people of Jammu have been protesting from last 40-45 days under SASS(Sri Amarnath sangrash samiti).Never in the past has Jammu witnessed such passionate protests and at this magnitude. “Bharat mata ki jai”, “jai hind” and many more Patriotic slogans can be heard in every protest.

In Kashmir valley, the protests spear headed by the separatists from Hurriyat have different slogans mostly anti-Indian and Pro-Islam. Situation is out of control in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. “Azadi” is the slogan most used by Protestors of Kashmir. Indian Flags are being burnt as a mark of protest. The game plan of  all the Muslim leaders has been clearly exposed in Kashmir, whether It is the separatist group(Hurriyat) or So called mainstream parties(National conference and PDP).Hurriyat leaders are more sincere in their approach for so called “Azadi” as they have not changed their stance since early days of terrorism in Kashmir. At least we know they are “anti-Indians”. The main problem is basically so called main-stream parties, who for their selfish motives keep changing their stances over the name of Kashmir. The leaders of main stream parties whether “Abdullah’s” or “Mufti’s” have always misguided our national leadership.

One more fact has been exposed by this whole Amarnath row, the tag of so called “secularism” in Kashmir. The truth is that Islamic state can never be “secular”. Talibanisation of Kashmir is one of the main motives of Hurriyat and its leaders have definitely made inroads for Talibanisation of Kashmir.

I am also a witness to the present situation of J&K. Being a kashmiri and a Hindu, I have witnessed similar situations in past.4 lakh Kashmiri pandits were uprooted from their motherland 18 years ago, by the same concept of “azadi” and “Islam”. That time also our central leadership maintained complete silence and this time also their approach is same.

The people of Jammu are coming to streets for what they believe is “injustice” and it surely is “injustice”. Why can’t we have land in our own country? As state subjects of J&k, Hindus have full rights to buy or sell land anywhere in the state.

It is a great tragedy for all Indians, People of Jammu, who are   ready to fight for India and who breathe and live India are subjected to tortures by our own central leadership. Most of the protestors who were shot dead in Jammu by Para-military forces were shot right in the head, just to create more sense of fear among the protestors, those protestors who are sacrificing their lives for India. Nationalism is in the air..” bum bum bole”,”bhara mata ki jai”

Can be heard everywhere in Jammu region.

Mehbooba mufti has created different sort of history in Jammu. She has become a name in Guinness book of world records for being a person whose maximum number of effigies has been burnt anywhere in world.

“Langars” has been organized in different parts of Jammu for feeding poor and for those who have been affected by his ongoing nationalist movement. People of Jammu are whole heartedly supporting this ongoing agitation against injustice. “Jail baro Aandolan” has started yesterday and tens of thousands of people came forward for this agitation. It is estimated that 3lakh people will voluntarily court arrest in next couple of days. Administration has to convert colleges and universities into jail, just to accommodate these nationalists whose number is in lakhs and who live for India. People across all political parties of Jammu have joined this agitation, irrespective whether they are from congress, National conference,PDP or BJP.The Sikh community as well as Muslims from entire Jammu region are actively participating in this agitation for “Justice”

Appeal for Donation

The donations can be made in the form of Cheque/Demand Drafts favoring:
1. Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) – Shaheed Fund in A/C no. 3965000100147291 
2. Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) – Ongoing Agitation in A/C no. 3965000100147282

with the punjab National Bank in all branches of the country.

You can also contact at following numbers for clarifications, Mob:09419188057,09419141408

Convener-Sh. Leela Karan Sharma

 

suicide by a patriotic….and his last poem(amarnath issue)

JAMMU, July 23: A youth taking part in the chain hunger strike against cancellation of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) today sacrificed his life after consuming poison in protest against the remarks of National Conference chief, Omar Abdullah in Parliament yesterday that the land to Amarnath shrine Board will be returned only over dead bodies of the Kashmiris.

Following death of the youth, the activists of Sangarsh Samiti and other organisations went on a rampage in the City pelting stones on moving vehicles and enforcing a bandh in some City areas. The mob also ransacked mortuary of Government Medical College, Jammu and twice lifted body of the martyr to shift it to the venue of dharna. The Samiti has given a call for Jammu bandh tomorrow. The Bar Association Jammu has also called for a bandh tomorrow.

Identified as Kuldeep Kumar Dogra of Talab Tillo, the youth who joined the hunger strike launched by the Sangarsh Samiti in front of Brahman Sabha this afternoon fell unconscious while delivering a speech in protest against Omar Abdullah’s statement this afternoon.

Commenting on Omar’s remarks, the youth said that NC chief had stated in Lok Sabha yesterday that Kashmiris will die instead of transferring the land to SASB and “I would show Mr Abdullah how the people of Jammu too can sacrifice their lives to get back the land”.

Soon after his remarks, the youth fell unconscious and was taken to GMC hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. As the news of youth’s sacrifice spread, a large number of people took to streets in the city and its outskirts and resorted to road blockades. The shopkeepers in many areas including Talab Tillo and Bohri downed their shutters.

The protesting youth with banners in their hands also shouted slogans against Mr Abdullah and held him responsible for the incident.

They demonstrated in Parade Ground near the venue of hunger strike and hundreds of youth reached the GMC hospital from where they forcibly shifted the dead body to Parade Ground where it was kept for paying tributes by the people. The protesting youths also ransacked the mortuary in GMC, tore its records and also broke window panes of newly constructed emergency building in hospital.

However, the body was later shifted by police to the GMC for post-mortem which was conducted by the Board of Doctors constituted by Dr Romesh Gupta, Medical Superintendent, GMC Jammu. The prominent doctors in the Board include Dr Kuldeep Dogra, Dr Ratnakar and Dr Brahm Dutt.

However the protesting youth again took the body to Parade Ground and did not allow its cremation.

After the sacrifice of life by Kuldeep Kumar Dogra, youths fanned out in different parts of the City especially Parade Ground, Jewel Chowk, Talab Tillo and other areas and subjected matadors and other vehicles to heavy stone pelting. Transport in several areas went off the road while shopkeepers downed their shutters voluntarily.

Most parts of the City observed a spontaneous bandh.

Youth also assembled at Bohri, Talab Tillo, Gandhi Nagar, Muthi and Barnai and staged protest and blocked roads. The vehicular traffic also came to a grinding halt on Jammu, Akhnoor road after the activists of Sangarsh Samiti erected barricades on the road.

Sangarsh Samiti chairman Leela Karan Sharma said a suicide note has also been recovered from pocket of the youth which is lying with Bakshi Nagar Police. In this note, the youth was reported to have said that he was making sacrifice for a supreme cause and tributes be paid to him only after the goal of getting land back for the SASB is achieved, he added.

Mr Sharma said all business establishments and transporters will observe a complete bandh tomorrow in protest against callousness of the Government.

In response to a question regarding indefinite bandh, Mr Sharma said he can’t alone take a decision in this regard as it has to be decided by Samiti which is a conglomerate of over 35 organizations.

He said Samiti has the support of all Jammu organizations including some political parties. Even the activists of Congress and NC have also been supporting our struggle, he added.

Mr Sharma said the people have been giving an overwhelming support to the Sangarsh Samiti in its struggle and nine days bandh call. But he didn’t want to add to the problems of those people by giving an indefinite bandh call who didn’t have even ration in their houses, he added.

He said the Samiti has given a call asking the Jammuites to join the present struggle irrespective of their caste, creed and religion.

Leela Karan, while lambasting Omar Abdullah for his remarks on SASB land, said that in case the Kashmiris posses such a feeling towards the Hindu shrines then Jammuites will be forced to evacuate them from Bhatandi and other places in Jammu where they have constructed the posh Kohtis.

Meanwhile, today was the fourth day of the chain hunger strike launched by the Samiti. A conglomeration of 35 political, social and religious organizations, the Samiti had coordinated the nine-day Jammu bandh from June 30 during the agitation’s first phase.

Meanwhile, the chain hunger strike of Sangarsh Samiti in other district and tehsil headquarters of Jammu also continued today.

.Dogra Liberation Front chief, Ram Paul has claimed that the martyr Kuldeep Kumar was its staunch activist.

Hindu Shiv Sena (HSS) has announced Rs 15,000 for the bereaved family. Sena president Krishan Manhas has also appealed the Sangarsh Samiti and other social organizations to make generous donations for the bereaved family.

Some paras of poem recited by Kuldeep Kumar few minutes before his death at Parade are as follow.

“Bigul Baj Raha Hain Andolan Ka Gagan Goonjta Hain Naroon Sai.”

“Mila Rahi Hain Aaj Jammu Ki Miti Nazar Sitaroon Sai.”

“Ek Baat Kehni Hain Laikin Aaj Desh Key Piaroon Sai.”

“Janta Sai, Loogoon Sai, Foojiyoon Ki Khadi Kataroon Sai.”

“Sambal Kai Rehna Apnay Ghar Main Chupay Huyay Gadaroon Sai.”

“Jhank Rahai Hain Apnay Dushman Apnay Hi Devaroon Sai.”

“Sanbal Kai Rehna Apnay Ghar Mian Chupay Huyay Gadaroon Sai.”

“Jago Tumko Dogron Ki Jagir Ki Raksha Karni Hain.”

“Jago Tumko Lakhoon Ki Takdir Ki Raksha Karni Hain.”

Abi Jo Bani Hai Us Tasveer Ki Raksha Karni Hain.’’

source:daily excelsior