Sangarsh Samiti extends Jammu bandh till August 8

Jammu, Aug 4 (UNI) Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), a conglomerate of several political and non-political parties spearheading the agitation for restoration of forest land to the SASB in South Kashmir, has extended Jammu bandh by another five days from today.

Taking serious exception to the ''suppressive and oppressive measures'' adopted by the state government to crush the ongoing movement, SAYSS convener Leela Karan Sharma said, "We will not be cowed down by such authoritarian attitude of the government and stick to our core demand, that is restoration of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).'' The decision for extending the Jammu bandh was taken in the executive meeting of the SAYSS last evening under the chairmanship of Mr Sharma.

He strongly condemned the ''rigid attitude'' of the government towards the agitating people of Jammu. ''Government has adopted the path of confrontation by imposing curfew and calling Army which will have serious repercussions,'' the SAYSS convener said.

Calling it an undeclared martial-law in Jammu, he said the government moves have fuelled a lot of anger among the people against the present dispensation.

The SAYSS ruled out holding any negotiations with the Government until it gets an assurance on the recent letter demanding restoration of land to the SASB.

Several political and non-political parties and people from different religious communities here have extended their support to the on going agitation.

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