JK Gov declines comment on artificial lingam

Amarnath Cave Shrine, Kashmir, Aug 9: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today refused comment on the controversy surrounding the ''artificial'' ice Shivalaingam at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath this year, saying the inquiry commission is going to submit its report within ten days.

''I will not comment on this. Some people had raised fingers...We have already ordered a judicial probe into the issue. The inquiry commission is going to submit its report within ten days,'' he told journalists here.

The Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), said during the past three years fingers have been repeatedly raised and attempts made to create hurdles and difficulties in the conduct of the pilgrimage.

''But, we have faced and overcome these difficulties with strong determination. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, the Amarnath pilgrimage has been conducted in a peaceful and successful manner,'' Gen Sinha added.

On June 29, the Governor had ordered a judicial inquiry into the allegations, inter alia, that the ice Shiva lingam at the holy Amarnath cave shrine was tampered with.

Retired High Court judge, Justice (Retd) K K Gupta, was asked to hold the inquiry and submit a report to the Board within a month.

The step followed the recommendations in a preliminary inquiry report by SASB Chief Executive Officer Dr Arun Kumar on the complaints received from several quarters with regard to allegations of piling snow in the sanctum sanctorum.

UNI

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