J-K Governor forms panel to deal with agitators | Pics

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra on Wednesday night announced a four-member team to hold negotiations with the Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti, the umbrella organisation under which the protests against the land row are taking place in the state.

Vice Chancellor Jammu University, a retired judge of state High Court Justice G D Sharma, former chief secretary S S Billoria and Principal Secretary to the Governor B B Vyas have been authorised to negotiate with agitating protesters.

“On behalf of the governor, his principal secretary B B Vyas, who is also the chief executive officer of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, had written to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) and invited them to visit the Yatra Base Camp at Baltal," a Raj Bhawan communication here said.

"The entire arrangements of the visit were to be made by the shrine board. After considering this suggestion, the Samiti responded by stating that the governor's suggestion did not relate to their core demand, that the order cancelling the use of the land be revoked.

"However, to carry forward the process of dialogue and discussion so as to amicably resolve the fundamental issues in an acceptable manner, the governor today nominated a committee comprising Dr S S Bloeria, former chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Justice (Retd) G D Sharma, Amitabh Mattoo, vice chancellor of the Jammu University, and B B Vyas, principal secretary to governor and CEO of the shrine board," it said.IANS reports:

The Governor hoped the process of dialogue will recommence urgently and peace and stability will return to Jammu division at the earliest.

The Samiti has been leading an agitation since July 1 when the state government revoked its order of land allotment to the shrine board for providing facilities to pilgrims.

However, Samiti convenor Leela Karan Sharma rejected any suggestion of talking to the panel unless the land was restored to the shrine board.

"These is no question of our sitting across the table unless the land is restored to the shrine board. That is our fundamental demand," he told reporters.