Govt to bring Ordinance for protection of temples in Valley

The Government has decided to bring an Ordinance for Constitution of Board for management and protection of Hindu Shrines and Temples in Kashmir Valley.

This assurance was given by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah during the meeting of Apex Committee on Migrants here today.

The meeting among others was attended by Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla, MoS Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Finance, Iqbal Khandey, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, B A Runyal, Divisional Commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal and Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, R K Pandita.

Official sources told Jk News that the Chief Minister announced in the Apex Committee meeting that an ordinance regarding the formation of Board for protection and management of Hindu shrines in the Valley will be brought in the next Cabinet meeting.

Omar also agreed to give two years age relaxation to those youth who had applied for job under PM's package in 2008 as the package was implemented in 2010. It was decided that the children born after migration will be taken for Kashmir darshan.

He also agreed in principle the demand regarding enhancement of cash relief and compensation for construction of houses in Valley. He informed the meeting that the issue has already been taken up with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister, P Chidambaram.

It was also decided that all other Apex level Committee that the members, who abstains from two consecutive meetings will be dismissed from the Apex Committee.

The CM told the Apex Committee that he would himself chair two meetings of the Committee in a year, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, to review the progress and implementation of the decisions taken by the Committee headed by Raman Bhalla.

The meeting lasted four hours and all the issues concerning the displaced people were discussed. The meeting was told that there will be no coercion in return of the migrants and no decision will be taken in haste in view of the past experience, which resulted in Vandhhama and Nadimarg incidents. Out of total 38 Apex Committee members 24 were present while 14 abstained.

The other issues raised by the Apex Committee members included construction of shopping complex at Jagti township for those traders of the community who had their small business establishments in erstwhile camps.

Bhalla described the meeting very fruitful and healthy. He also criticized those Apex Committee members, who boycotted the meeting.

The prominent among the Apex Committee members who attended the meeting included Vijay Bakaya, MLC, Khem Lata Wakhloo, H N Jatu, M L Kaul, Hira Lal Pandita, Sanjay Saraf, R K Bhat, Roshan Lal Raina, Bansi Lal Kaul, M K Yogi, Anil Dhar, Jatin Bhat, Din Mohammed Cheeta, Ashok Hangloo and A K Rajpuri.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha representatives including its president Prof A N Sadhu and vice president K K Khosa who are the members of Apex Committee also boycotted its meeting today in protest against the failure of Government to solve the burning issues of displaced Pandits.

A statement issued here by K P Sabha said the community leadership has been pressing hard for the enhancement of cash relief, passage of Shrines and Temples Bill, sincere and timely implementation of PM's package and adequate facilities at the Jagti township. But there has been no encouraging response from the Government, it added.

The statement said in the wake of high market inflation, the meager cash relief is grossly inadequate to enable the displaced families to make both ends meet. Lack of resources adversely affected the education of their children, caused malnutrition and resulted into poor health, threatening the poor growth of young ones. The suffering people are at dharna for last 24 days and the Government is not bothered about this and no attention has been paid so far, it added.

The statement said in spite of repeated pleading, meetings with ministers and Legislators, the Temples and Shrines Bill has not been passed so far resulting into desecration and encroachment of these places. Further, 6000 posts assured in PM's package have not been filled so far and the development work at Jagti township has been put on hold. Under these circumstances attending the meeting of Apex Committee by KP's representatives will be meaningless, the statement added.

The statement said let the Government seriously address to the prime concerns of the community so that the Apex Committee meeting can be held in a meaningful way.

It said for today's meeting no agenda had been circulated and it only showed the casual approach of the Government towards holding such meetings.

It may be recalled that ASKPC chief A N Vaishnavi its general secretary, HL Chatta, Camp leader P L Raina and JKVM senior leader, Dr R L Bhat had also boycotted the meeting. Besides AIKS chief Moti Kaul could not attend the meeting due to his pre-occupation while Congress leader Ashok Bhan also chose to stay away from it. APMCCC president Vinod Pandit had already submitted his resignation from Apex Committee for its non performance.

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Chandi Mata Shrine Board

The Government is contemplating to constitute a Board to look after the affairs of Chandi Mata Yatra on the pattern of Shiv Khouri Shrine Board. 

The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today chaired a high level meeting convened to discuss the modalities for the proposed Board, here today.

Commissioner Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Atul Duloo, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal and District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, M. H. Malik, were among others who attended the meeting. 

The Minister asked the concerned authorities to formulate a proposal envisaging the structure and function of the proposed Yatra management body. He said the proposed Board would look after the affairs of the yatra, besides creating facilities for pilgrims and ensure proper management and utilisation of the resources donated by the yatries at the shrine. 

The meeting was told that in order to create tourist infrastructure facilities in Chandi Mata shrine area, the Tourism Department has submitted a project report of Rs. 5 crore to the Centre for approval and funding.

It is pertinent to mention that the holy temple of Chandi Mata is located in far off Paddar area at village Machail. The temple has historical significance as it is said to be constructed during 10th century, with idols made of rare metal. 

The Machail Yatra was first started in the year 1980 from Bhaderwah-Chinote with 25 yatries. Subsequently in the year 1985 a registered organization Sarva Shakti Sevak Sanstha organized regular Machail Yatra. Since then it has become an annual affair with due recognition of district and divisional administration. 

Since the year 1985 the yatra has been attracting pilgrims from far-off places and 99326 numbers of yatries paid their obeisance during yatra-2011.

The Chandi Mata yatra starts in the month of August and the State Government is extending all possible facilities to the yatries during yatra period. This yatra has become one of the most important yatra in erstwhile Doda district especially in district Kishtwar. It was actually for a period of 10 days initially but over the years it is becoming month long affair.

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Tajikistan Ambassador visits shrines of Shah -
i-Hamdan, Bulbul Shah

The Ambassador of Tajikistan, Saidbeg Saidov today visited the Shrines of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) and Hazrat Shahi-i- Hamdan (RA) and paid obeisance there.

The Ambassador, who is the descendent of Hazrat Shah-i-Hamdan(RA) and belongs to Qulab Khatlan, is on a visit to Kashmir Valley. He visited the shrine of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) and said that the great spiritual personality is considered one of the esteemed saints not only in Kashmir but in entire world. He said that it was under his spiritual influence that King of Kashmir Hazrat Sadr-u-din in 13th century adopted realistic way of life and proved his acumen under the moral guidance of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) . He also paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Sadr-u-Din (RA).

The Ambassador immediately after paying obeisance at Mazar-i-sharief of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) proceeded via Aali Kadal and Zaina Kadal route to Khankah-i-Moula where he was received by Mujjawirs and respectable personalities of the area.

He was shown the historical sacred 600 year old holy manuscript of holy Quran written by Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani(RA). He offered prayers at Khankah. He was also presented a copy of Awrad Fatehya on the occasion.

On the occasion, Kh. Farooq Renzushah, Chairman Hazrat Bulbul Shah Trust, Er. Afaq Chesti, Chairman Khawaja Garib Nawaz Trust, Head of Department, Islamic Research Institute, Kashmir University, Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi and other respectable citizens of the area were present.

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KPs demonstrate for passsage of Shrines Temples Bill

Intensifying their agitation for passage of Shrines and Temples Protection and Management Bill in current session of State Legislature, Kashmiri Pandits cutting across their party affiliations today staged a demonstration, in front of Press Club here.

The demonstration was held on the call of Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, which is spearheading the ongoing movement for the enactment of the law for the protection and management of Hindu shrines and temples in Valley most of whom are in a dilapidated condition at present as they have suffered extensive damage during last 22 years turmoil.

The leaders of all KP political, social and religious bodies including Panun Kashmir (PK) participated in the demonstration.

They resolved and pledged to take the ongoing agitation to its logical conclusion. They warned to intensify the agitation in case the Bill was delayed in this session of the Legislature also and urged the Government to fulfill its promise made with the community.

Raising slogans in support of the Bill, the protestors warned to intensify the agitation in case Government further delayed its passage in the ongoing session of Legislature. They expressed grave concern over the condition of the Hindu shrines in Valley whose land has been encroached by anti social elements as well as some Government organizations on their own.

With banners and placards in the hands the demonstrators said that entire community is concerned over the protection on Hindu shrines and temples in Valley which are the symbols of thousands years of civilization, culture, traditions and ethos. Their preservation is must for the posterity as every shrine and temple is in itself worth thousands of institutions, they added.

They said the sentiments of entire community across the globe are attached with these shrines and temples most of whom have been vandalized after the mass exodus of the community 22 years ago. ``For their protection and management we wanted a statutory board on the pattern of Auqaf Board for protection of Muslims shrines and Gurdwara Prabandhak Board and Committees for protection of Sikh Gurdawars in the State'', said a member of the Trust.

He said the passage of the Bill will be biggest confidence building measure for the displaced KPs for their return and settle back in Valley with a sense of security and dignity.

The speakers, while addressing the demonstrators regretted that despite assurances given publicly to them by the leaders and legislators from all the parties to support their demand for the passage of the Bill as well as the assurances held by the Government, the Bill has not been passed.

They said Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister, Raman Bhalla, Agriculture Minister, G H Mir, PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, CPI Leader, M Y Tarigami and BJP and NC MLAs had given assurance that the Bill will be passed in this session but till date no headway was made in this regard.

The KP leaders reiterated their appeal to Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Raman Bhalla to get the Bill passed as assured in the ongoing Session of Legislature.

Meanwhile some political organizations including BJP and Kranti Dal have also extended full support to the demand. Kranti Dal general secretary, Preetam Sharma along with his supporters also joined the demonstration and extended full support to the displaced Pandits in their struggle.

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Shrines Temples Bill

PNBMT’s appeal to legislators on passage of Shrines, Temples Bill

Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) in a meeting here today appealed the legislators of all the parties to support their demand and move the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places Protection and Management Bill and get it passed in the current session of State Legislature.

It has also appealed to the Government to bring an official bill in the budget session and also pass the same, since leaders of all the parties have assured the community of their support to the bill.

The KP community has been demanding since long time the constitution of statutory body to protect, maintain and manage their religious places in Kashmir, on the pattern of Auqaf Board for the Muslim religious property and Gurduwara Prabandak Board and Committees for the protection and management of Sikh Gurdawaras. The passage of the bill will be a biggest confidence building measure for the migrated KP community to return to the valley and settle there, with a sense of security and dignity, it was observed in the meeting.

The Trust which has been assigned the responsibility by all the KP organizations as a nodal agency for spearheading the movement for introduction and passage of the bill in the State legislature, has with the consultation of all other organizations of the community, chalked out the program to hold mass dharna on Monday March 12, outside Jammu Press Club, to highlight their concern for the protection of their religious places in Kashmir.

The religious places of Kashmiri Hindus in Kashmir are being vandalized, encroached uponand sold by some unscrupulous elements, after the forced mass exodus ofthe community from Kashmir 22 years back.

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ASKPC accuses Govt of not solving migrants problems

All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in its general body meeting here today discussed various problems being faced by the displaced Pandits.

The meeting was chaired by general secretary ASKPC, H L Chatta.

He lambasted both State and Central Governments for their failure in solving the burning problems of the community. He said the Government has failed to pay heed to the problems of the displaced Pandits.

He demanded immediate enhancement of monthly relief in favour of relief holders to ` 12,000 per month, payment of ` 25 lakh as one time stipend in favour of over-aged youth, release of monthly pay in favour of migrant employees posted in the Valley under PM’s package, allotment of quarters to non camp migrants living in rented accommodations, stoppage of encroachment of Hindu religious places and immovable property, Passage of Temples and Shrines Bill and constitution of a Committee headed by a Supreme Court Judge to enquire about exodus and killing of innocent people in Kashmir since 1989-90.

Those who also spoke in the meeting include Bharat Bushan Bhat, Subash Chatta, Ravi Raina, Sanjay Kakroo, Ashok Dhar and S L Mujoo.

Martand Tirath Trust holds GBM

General Body Meeting (GBM) of Martand Tirath Improvement and Charitable Trust was held here today under the chairmanship of R N Koul its chairman.

The meeting in an appeal urged the authorities to ensure full protection of the Martand Shrine at Mattan in South Kashmir district of Anantnag which is providing free langer and other facilities to yatris of Swami Amarnath Ji.

The GBM also approved some important decisions for future planning in the interest of the Trust.

Veer Ji Pandita gave brief of the two years working of the Trust and highlighted various steps taken by it for providing facilities to pilgrims.

President of the Trust, M K Yogi appealed the Government to fulfill the commitments made with the Trust for the development of the shrine and renovation of Bhargishekha temple. He demanded that Government should take necessary steps to mitigate the sufferings of the community and enhance the monthly relief before the Shivratri.

On the occasion Vaid Prakash Kichloo presented balance sheet before the GBM.

Others present in the meeting included Baskar Nath Bawani, Badri Nath Khar, Baderi Nath Tickloo, Soom Nath Tickoo and Maharaj Krishan Tickoo.