SAYSS's ''jail bharo andolan'' from Aug 18

Jammu, Aug 11 (UNI) In a bid to intensify the agitation, Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS), spearheading the ongoing movement in the winter capital, will launch ''jail bharo andolan'' from August 18.

''We have already extended our call for Jammu bandh till August 14 and 15. The members of the Samiti will be hoisting the tri-colour in all parts of the region to celebrate the Independence Day followed by a programme of ''jail bharo andolan'' on August 18,'' Brigadier Suchet Singh, senior member of SAYSS said at a press conference here.

Mr Singh said the Samiti would force the government to court arrest the members under ''jail bharo andolan'' while in the coming days, the agitation would be strengthened to restore the land back to the Shrine Board.

However, Mr Singh also blamed the Centre for its soft stand towards the Kashmir based leadership. ''Centre's weak policy of bowing before the Kashmir leadership is not helping in solving the Amarnath land row,'' Mr Singh added.

He added that Kashmiri leadership is applying ''blackmailing'' policy and forcing the Centre not to restore the land to the Shrine Board.

''The Home Minister has assured compensation in the valley to the trader community in the name of so-called economic blockade, which is not appreciable as both the regions have procured losses during massive agitations,'' the SAYSS member asserted.

However, Leela Karan Sharma, convenor, SAYSS has said instead of stopping the Kashmiri protestors from entering Muzaffarabad, they should have been allowed to cross over by the administration.

''Only after crossing over to Muzaffarabad, the people in Kashmir will know the realities,'' Mr Sharma said adding, ''now there will be no more appeasement with Jammu region but we want equality in all aspects to bring this years-long discrimination to an end.'' UNI VBH SP RAI2021