Vohra puts new peace formula on table

Governor NN Vohra's formula envisages leasing out the land to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board for the two months during which the yatra is held, reports Arun Joshi. Special Coverage

Following discussions with the Centre, Governor NN Vohra has finalised a proposal to redress grievances of Jammu agitators.

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It will be presented to the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS) at a meeting with a government panel later this week, sources said.

National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan will be visiting the state on Wednesday to assess the situation.

The Samiti has been on the streets for the past 60 days, demanding that an order cancelling the transfer of 100 acres of land in Baltal to the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board, which runs the Amarnath cave temple, be revoked.

The agitation has sparked off a counter-agitation in the Valley, which has taken on secessionist overtones.

The formula envisages leasing out the land to the Board for the two months during which the yatra is held. The Board, and not the government, will be responsible for providing amenities to pilgrims. “Once the yatra ends, the land will again become state property,” the sources revealed.

“We are ready to consider any proposal, but our agitation will continue,” said SASS spokesman Narinder Singh. The Samiti has extended its bandh, scheduled to end on Wednesday, to August 25.