Hope for early end to Jammu agitation

The ongoing agitation in Jammu for grant of land for the Amarnath pilgrimage may be called off soon with the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) agreeing to return to the negotiating table.

According to home ministry sources, the SAYSS, a front comprising 30 parties and organisations that is leading the agitation, has told the state government of its willingness to talk on the issue of transfer of land for the pilgrimage. “The talks could resume in Jammu tomorrow,’’ said a source.

SAYSS Convenor Leela Karan Sharma had walked out of the negotiations after four rounds of talks with the four-member committee headed by former bureaucrat SS Billowria. In fact, Sharma added new demands like removal of senior police officers from Jammu.

The deal the government plans to offer to the SAYSS revolves around an old high court order asking the state to ensure facilities for the pilgrims.

The agreement would ensure that the land over which the agitation is taking place is given to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for three months every year.

Also, to address the fears of the Kashmiris, the revamped board would only have citizens of Jammu & Kashmir. The governor’s administration is likely to issue an ordinance to this effect after the deal with the SAYSS.

Sources said Governor NN Vohra has discussed the proposals with all major political parties and got their approval. This leaves little room for political backlash from the mainstream parties in Kashmir.

Interestingly, the governor did not invite the Peoples Democratic Front (PDP) as its leader Mehbooba Mufti has said that her party will not accept the transfer of land for even three months.