Shops closed, traffic normal during shutdown

Jammu, Sep 21: Following a two-day shutdown call given by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), which spearheaded the two month long agitation in Jammu over forestland transfer row, shops and business establishments remained closed on Sunday, Sep 21. However, private vehicles are plying as usual.

The Samiti (SAYSS) is demanding immediate implementation of the agreement signed between the State Government panel and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board last month.

According to the agreement, the shrine board will continue to discharge its duties and supervise arrangements of the pilgrimage with the State Government's support.

It was also agreed upon that the land at Baltal and Domail would be set aside exclusively for the pilgrimage and no money will be charged for using the forestland.

The Samiti members has alleged that the Government had not issued an official orderor the temporary use of forestland by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board though the four-member Governor's Advisory Council had approved it last month.

Meanwhile, Jammu residents, who have witnessed two months of shutdown and curfew, said that they wanted to lead a life sans agitations.

"We have already seen two months of agitation, it is either a shutdown call or it is curfew. We hope this two-day shutdown doesn't spread into another massive agitation," said Romesh Kumar, a resident.

The dispute began over allocation of land for setting up temporary facilities for Hindu pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir valley and later its withdrawal snowballed into large-scale protests for about two months.

ANI