Revoke the land transfer to SASB order, PDP to J

Srinagar, Jun 30 (UNI) Accusing the Congress-led government in Jammu and Kashmir of taking only a half way measure over the issue of diversion of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said this would not help in resolving the grave situation that has engulfed the state.

Ms Mehbooba Mufti, president of the PDP which withdrew from the coalition Ministry on the SASB-land transfer issue, said the reported decision of the State Government to take charge of the logistics arrangements of the Amarnath Yatra was only a half-way measure and will not help to restore peace.

Speaking at a high level meeting of her party, Ms Mufti said the PDP has always, maintained that the problem surrounding the diversion of land to SASB needs a two-pronged solution involving both revocation of the controversial land diversion order and taking-over of the entire arrangements of the yatra by the State Government as was done before the constitution of SASB.

''The more the Government dithers, the situation could become more dangerous,'' the meeting observed. It said the recurrent ambiguity in Government decisions was only adding to the confusion instead of diffusing the crisis facing the State.

Acknowledging and responding to the sentiments of the people, the Government should without any further delay revoke the land-diversion to difuse the grave situation instead of trying to brush the matters a side.

The meeting observed that the Governor N N Vohra must take charge of the things and use his administrative and political acumen to manage the dangerously evolving situation in the State so that the huge investment made by all sections of the society in the peace efforts did not go waste.

The meeting pralised the people of the State for maintaining high standards of amity and brotherhood by helping the Yatris in smooth performance of the Yatra.

UNI BAS SYU NS1245