Second round of talks in Jammu end on a positive note

Jammu, August 23 : The second round of talks between Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), the group that is spearheading the land transfer agitation in Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir for the past two months and a panel of the state government ends on a positive note on Saturday.

The four member panel appointed by Governor N.N. Vohra held parleys with the four member committee appointed by the SASS.

The representatives expressed hope for an early solution to the issue after the meeting.

"We had talks on many issues and also on the land issue. The talks were cordial and most probably we will be able to arrive at some decision in one or two days," said Tilak Raj Sharma, a member of the panel appointed by the SASS.

The members have decided to meet again soon.

"We have discussed and exchanged views in a cordial manner and we have decided to meet again," S.S. Billoria, heading the panel appointed by Vohra.

Meanwhile, traders in the Jammu city said they are incurring heavy losses due the controversy and requested the concerned authorities to find a solution to the problem through discussions.

"Till now we have made a loss of about 5000 crore rupees. Today every businessman wants to cut down the losses and would like our brothers in the Amarnath shrine board to sit with the government authorities to find a solution to it," Shakeel Hussain Khan, a hotelier said.

On the other hand, shops and business establishments remained closed in Srinagar during the three-day shutdown call given by coordination committee formed by the various groups including the separatist. The dispute began after the Kashmir government promised to give forestland to the trust that runs Amarnath shrine, a cave shrine visited by Hindu pilgrims.

The government then backed down from its decision, which in turn angered many Hindus in Jammu.

ANI