'Balidani Jatha' gives 72 hour ultimatum to J

Jammu, Jul 14 (UNI) 'Balidani Jatha' (sacrificing group), a delegation from punjab under the banner of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti (ABHSS) today gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra and asked him to hand over the land back to Shri Amarnath Shrine board.

''We have given 72-hour ultimatum to Mr Vohra and have sought his instant response in cancelling the order of land transfer under which the 800 kanals of land has been transferred to the state tourism department,'' National General Secretary, ABHSS Varinder Bajaj said while addressing a press conference here after reaching Jammu along with other members.

Mr Bajaj said by revoking the order, the J&K government has hurt the sentiments of Hindu community worldwide, which is condemnable.

''We want Mr Vohra should hand over the land to the shrine board, secondly, the number of 'langars' en route Jammu to Baltal should not be reduced and thirdly, the tax imposed on the committees arranging 'langar' should be exempted at the lakhanpur toll post,'' Mr Bajaj demanded.

He said the reaction after the stipulated time gets over will be decided at a meeting to be held at Patiala tomorrow adding ''this is an issue between the people of Jammu region and the state government or the political parties should not ''politicise'' and ''communalise'' it in the name of religion only to generate vote bank in the coming assembly elections.'' However, the Samiti Secretary said hundreds of activists left for Jammu on July 11 from Patiala but their entry was barged at Lakhanpur on Jammu-Punjab border but a delegation has reached here in support of the people fighting for a noble cause.

UNI VBH PDT RAI2053