Both sides have described as positive and productive the talks that were held today. A third round of talks has produced a final report that has been submitted to the government.
Govt panel wants time to consider this report which is the result of three rounds of talks through the day
SRINAGAR: Talks between the Shri Amarnath Sangrash Samiti (SASS), which is spearheading the campaign for land restoration to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), and the four-member panel set up by governor NN Vohra to workout a compromise formula to end the two-month old agitation in Jammu seem headed for a breakthrough of sorts with a possible compromise being discussed in which land will be given temporarily to the Shrine board to build shelters during the yatra.
Both sides have described as positive and productive the talks that were held today. A third round of talks has produced a final report that has been submitted to the government.
Brigadier (retd) Suchet Singh, who headed the four-member SASS team said, "We have had positive discussions on the core issue. It will be premature to disclose anything about the proposals from the government. All the proposals will be placed before the other members of the Samiti and a decision taken", he said.
Earlier, Dr. SS Bloeria, advisor to governor, said, "The second round of talks was fruitful and productive and "we have decided to meet again", he said.
According to insiders, the government has agreed, in principle, to give land to the SASB but is not willing to give its propriety rights to the Board fearing a backlash from the Muslim-majority valley.
The government panel has also suggested a reconstitution of the SASB and the inclusion of prominent Hindus from J&K as its members to help manage the yatra every year.
During the previous governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha's time, most of the members of the board were not from the state. The new governor, who is also chairman of the SASB, has already dissolved this board and is keen to reconstitute it to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned.
Earlier, there were reports doing the rounds that the government was ready to consider giving land to SASB at alternative location - at Chandanwari axis in Pahalgam which is the traditional route to the holy cave. However, the plan didn't work out due to the technical hiccups.
Meanwhile, curfew was clamped in Poonch after violence flared-up in the area. Life in Kashmir valley remained paralysed on the second day of hartal call given by the Hurriyat led coordination committee. Several protest demonstrations were held across the valley. Some Kashmiri drivers were beaten up by agitators at Lakhanpur in Jammu. One agency has reported that Kashmir has been by and large peaceful since 15 August.
h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}