Giving back land to the Amarnath Board only option: Sangharsh Samiti

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) Slamming the government for succumbing to the blackmail of the secessionist forces in Kashmir and ignoring the concerns of the people in Jammu, the Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) today said reverting the land back to the Shrine Board was the only option to solve the crisis which has festered on for nearly 50 days.

Addressing the media, SAYSS convener Leela Karan Sharma said they were not seeking land permanently, but only for temporary structures during the 'Yatra' months for the facility of the pilgrims.

''The bogey of permanent structure to house people or settle Hindus there was being raised by secessionist forces and political parties to further their own agenda,'' he said.

Warning the government against its apathy towards those agitating in Jammu for revoking the cancellation of the land alloted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Mr Sharma said now the issue has become the question of honour for the people of India and budging from it was not possible.

''The Centre is playing with fire by ignoring our concerns. If it fails to address the issue, the people of India will decide the matter then. If secessionists are appeased and we are persecuted, it should be prepared for a long haul.'' Questioning the government's move to immediately talk to the separatist elements as soon as they raised the bogey of Muzaffarabad, Mr Sharma said, ''Why have the Kashmiri leaders come to gain precedence over everything that people in Jammu stand for? ''If Haj centres can be built, why can't temporary structure for Hindu pilgrims going to the treacherous heights be built? Now our honour is at stake, so we are determined to fight it out.'' Rubbishing reports that the Sangharsh Samiti was against a dialogue, he said till now no proposal, initiative or invitation from the government has come to talk on the issue.

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