Revocation of land transfer was on SASB's request: Govt

Jammu, Jul 2 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today clarified it had not ''bowed to any pressure'' and the revocation of forest land transfer order was made ''on the request'' of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

''The state government had not taken decision for revoking the transfer of land on its own but on the request of the SASB,'' Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak said at a press conference here.

He said the order for transferring 40 hectare forest land was made when the SASB requested for its requirement. '' It (SASB) said it doesn't require any land,'' Mr Singh said as a reason behind revocation of land transfer order.

He, however, could not give any specific reply on why curfew was imposed in Jammu city on the second day of mass protest while no such step was taken in Kashmir despite the killings of protesters during week-long violent agitation. '' Government didn't want to have same situation here,'' the Minister asserted.

The civil administration had clamped indefinite curfew in entire Jammu city following violent protests in several parts of the winter capital yesterday. However, the anti-government protests on revocation of land transferred to the SASB today spread to other parts of the region. Curfew was also imposed in Bhaderwah and Samba towns following violent protest today.

UNI VJ LPB KN1924