Restore normalcy in JK: PM urges parties

New Delhi, Aug 18: Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh on Monday, Aug 18 urged all political parties and right-thinking people to work together to bring the situation in Jammu and Kashmir under control. Speaking to reporters here after the oath taking ceremony of two new Rajya Sabha members, C Rangarajan and S M Krishna this morning, Dr Singh said: "Everybody has an obligation to contribute. This is not a partisan issue."

This statement from the Prime Minister came in the wake of the volatile situation prevailing in the State as agitators on both sides of the Amarnath land dispute have intensified their protests on Monday. The Hurriyat Conference's Coordination Committee on Monday, Aug 18 submitted a memorandum, seeking the UN Secretary-General's intervention in granting 'right to self-determination' to the people of Kashmir, to the United Nations Military Observers Group office in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), the group spearheading the protests in Jammu, has called a three-day 'jail bharo aandolan' from on Monday, Aug 18.

In addition to this, on Sunday Aug 17, National Conference president Omar Abdullah threatened to resign from his Lok Sabha membership if the Government fails to intervene and find a solution to the Amarnath land row.

Abdullah urged the Centre to hold talks with the SASS in Jammu as well as with the Hurriyat's Coordination Committee in Kashmir.

The dispute began after the State Government promised to give forest land to the Shri Amarnath shrine Board. Many Muslims were enraged. The Government then rescinded its decision, which in turn angered Hindus in Jammu who attacked lorries carrying supplies to Kashmir valley.

ANI