All-party meet considers constituting committee on Amarnath row

New Delhi, Aug 12 (UNI) The All party meeting on resolving the Amarnath land row today considered constituting a high level committee and seeking the help of individuals, politician and NGOs in peaceful resolution of the problem.

Asserting that people of Kashmir valley would not be allowed to illegally cross over to Muzaffarabad, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that these individuals and politicians, including Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti could talk to Governor N N Vohra and the four-member committee constituted to help him in resolving the contentious issue. He said that these groups could come to Delhi or some people could go the state for deliberation to resolve the matter.

Regarding the participation of separatist groups like Hurriyat in the talks, Mr Patil said that the UPA government had no hesitation talking to them in the past and it was even ready to talk to them.

He said that even individuals and NGOs could participate in the process and help resolve the matter.

The all party delegation, which met twice since yesterday, also suggested constituting a Committee, to be headed by someone from the government or outside, to resolve the matter, he informed.

Mr Patil said that there was no blockade on the national highway linking Srinagar with Jammu and other parts of the country. He said that there was no obstacle in the way of movement of fruits and other items so there was no reason for agitation on this issue. The Home Minister said that the government assured the meeting that all necessary steps would be taken to keep the roads open and there would not be any disruption of traffic between the people from Kashmir valley to Jammu and the rest of the country.

Mr Patil said that India has already proposed opening of the Muzaffarabad route as it was convenient for fruit growers to the state which would boost exports, but till the time Pakistan agrees to it it would be illegal which people of both India and the neighbouring country would not agree while the world would also question it.

Defending the use of force for stopping people from crossing over, he said that unfortunatedly some people died in the process.

''The meeting was told that there was government has been taking steps to facilitate cross LoC trade and senior government officers have already visited the state to see the existing infrastructure there. However, a decision in the matter can be taken only through mutual arrangements between India and Pakistan. Any unilateral move in this direction will neither be practical nor wise,'' he said.

He also refused to comment on the situation prevailing in both Jammu and Kashmir valley. He said efforts were on to resolve the contentious issue.

Mr Patil said the central and state leaders participating in the parleys also assured that Amarnath Yatra, which joins the country and was beneficial for the local population, would continue in the same manner in future. All people from Jammu and Kashmir and organisers assured that yatra would be conducted in such a manner so that no pilgrim faced difficulties and more facilities were created for them.

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