Patil meets SASS, various party leaders in Jammu

Jammu, August 9 : An all party delegation led by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday held a meeting with the Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti in Jammu this afternoon.

After the meeting, the Convenor of the Samiti Leela Karan Sharma told reporters that they have put up their demands for the restoration of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and the recall of Governor N.N. Vohra.

Earlier, the delegation met the Governor and was also briefed about the situation arising out of Shri Amarnath Land transfer issue.

The all party delegation also held discussions with leaders of various political parties in Jammu.

The SASS spearheading the agitation had refused to meet the delegation this morning but later decided to hold the talks with the all party delegation after their demand to keep some members of the delegation out of the talks was accepted.

In Jammu region, the Army staged flag march in several districts. Curfew remains in force in Jammu's Samba, Rajouri and Kathua Districts.

In Kashmir valley, situation remained by and large peaceful on Saturday. Shops and business establishments in most of the towns were open. Traffic also plied as usual.

The visit is being undertaken after deliberations in the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The all-party meeting had issued a joint appeal for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the State and to create an environment for the suspension of the agitation.

The delegation of 12 leaders would be drawn from different political parties.

Patil has already appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and all political parties to help in restoring peace in the state. He said that there is no issue that cannot be solved through dialogue.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that all parties also favoured giving more facilities to Amarnath pilgrims like shelter, security and transportation.

ANI