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| On talk of talks, agitation stretches | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | July 30
• Protests spiral, rural Jammu too shuts
• Varsity, Colleges, Schools keep shut
• Intensive agitation on Aug 1, 2 planned
• Govt offers open talks, Samiti agrees
The Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti though today agreed to hold talks with the government after an invitation was extended to its leadership but there was still no let up in protests and demonstrations which further spiraled and spread across the rural areas of the region.
It was after full one month of the present agitation that the talks have been officially initiated by the government. A proposal for dialogue was put before the Samiti leader Leela Karan Sharma at Geeta Bhawan here today by Principal Secretary Home Anil Goswami and the Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda. Neither Samiti leaders nor the government officials divulged any details of the talks.
For government, the biggest achievement so far is that the Sangharsh Samiti has accepted the invitation from the state administration for holding talks provided government create congenial atmosphere for dialogue. "We have accepted the invitation for talks but nothing will be decided without examining the proposals from the state
Administration”, said Samiti leader Advocate Sharma. "Land transfer will be the core issue and we are firm with our stand and no second thought will be given to any of the proposals unless the powers of Shrine Board be restored." He, however, said congenial atmosphere is mandatory to hold talks across the table with state administration for negotiation on the ongoing issue.
"The state administration should withdraw cases against our youth and they should be released unconditionally. Deputy Superintendent of Police Akhnoor, SHO Domana and other police officers should be suspended with immediate effect for brutal lathicharge on people," he maintained.
Meanwhile. amidst sporadic incidents of violence, normal life remained paralyzed on the eighth consecutive day here on Wednesday in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir while Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Simithi has extended the ongoing Jammu Bandh for another three days.
Reports said that people continued to hold massive demonstrations in Jammu and its outskirts by burning tyres and blocking the deserted roads connecting the city.
The sensitive Parade-Purani Mandi area continued to witness violent protests and clashes between police and protestors, said reports, adding "Police lobbed several teargas shells on the protestors who pelted stones and throw crude petrol bombs on security personnel."
"The protestors also attempted to set on fire the Power Development Department (PDD) building at Parade but timely action by police prevented the tragedy," maintained reports, adding that massive protest rallies were taken out where thousands of protestors burnt the effigy of Governor N N Vohra and shouted slogans against NC president Omar Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti. They demanded that the transferred land should be handed over back to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
"The violent clash between police and protestors was going on at Parade till last reports poured in. Police fired dozens of teargas shells and pelted stones to disperse the mob," said reports.
Reports further maintained that torch rallies throughout the city during night hours were also taken out to lodge protest against the government for revoking the order diverting forest land to the SASB. The mob also went on rampage and damaged electronic meters installed by PDD in various parts of old city.
However reports from different district and tehsil headquarters said that the rural areas of Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi and Rajouri districts also observed complete shutdown as main markets were closed and no commercial vehicle was allowed to ply on road.
It may be mentioned here that there has been no let up in the ongoing agitation since its upsurge after a protester Kuldeep Raj Verma had allegedly committed suicide on land transfer row on July 23.
Meanwhile, all shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed and private transport remained off the road in Jammu city and its outskirts.
Sources said that ASS, which is leading the agitation in the region, has extended the bandh call for another three days. "We are extending the strike for another 72 hours", LK Sharma, convener of the committee said.
He told media persons that the Simithi has chalked out a complete programme for the next three days. "On August 1 the Simithi leaders will go to the people for taking their support, while on August 2 a massive rally would be organized at Bishna to pay tributes to Kuldip Kumar Dogra".
Sharma further added that National highway across the region would be blocked by the activists on August 3 from 11 AM to 1 PM. "After 72 hours Simithi will again decide next course of action", he added.
Meanwhile, the Government has ordered that all educational institutions of Jammu division including recognized private schools up to higher secondary level scheduled to open on August 1, 2008 will now open on Monday, August 4, 2008. |
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