Vohra ready for talks to defuse Amarnath shrine land row
8 Aug 2008, 1206 Hrs

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Jammu/New Delhi/Srinagar, Aug 8 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra has said he is ready for talks to quell weeks of protest over the Amarnath land transfer row.

"We have come to know that the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti members have convened a meeting for the upcoming talks. We are ready and whenever they want, we will send our committee for the talks," he said last evening.

The struggle committee also extended an olive branch, saying its doors were always open for talks.

"An all party meet was held by the government and they will send a delegation to Jammu. The Sangharsh Samiti is ready to talks. In fact, our doors were always open for dialogue to resolve the matter," said Ramakant Dubey, member of the Sangharsh Samiti.

The state Congress leaders also welcomed the move.

"This decision to send all party delegation to Jammu is a welcome step. By visiting Jammu, the delegation will arrive on a better understanding of the situation and problem can be resolved by such steps," said Rajender Singh Chib, Congress member deputy in Jammu and Kashmir State Assembly.

Condemning the violence in the state, eminent social activist Swami Agnivesh said: "I want to say that the violence against the people, truck drivers and others, deserves punishment. The disruption and damage of railway tracks and other property in nothing but terror mongering. The culprits should apologise for it."

In New Delhi, National Muslim Forum members embarked on a pilgrimage to the Sri Amarnath Shrine with the intent of spreading the message of peace and harmony.

The members of the forum said that the Board should be given the land on the lines of other land grants to shrines of different communities.

"We want that the peace and harmony should prevail. We are going to spread this message through pilgrimage," said Peerzada Sibte Qwasim, chairman of Dargah Committee, Ajmer Sharif.

In Jammu, thousands of people have been protesting to demand transfer of about 100 acres of land to the shrine trust.

The dispute began after the Jammu and Kashmir Government ordered the transfer of forestland to the trust that runs Amarnath. But Muslims in Kashmir were enraged.

The government then backed down on its decision. Many Hindus, in turn, were angered. (ANI)