Gilani’s forum reiterates demand of limiting Amarnath yatra to 15 days

Srinagar, June 23, 2013 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, in view of the fragile and sensitive environment of the Kashmir Valley, the forum patronised by veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani has once again demanded of the puppet administration to limit the period of Amarnath Yatra to 15 days and reduce the number of yatris to 150 per day.

The forum reiterated the demand in a meeting of its Executive Council held at Hyderpora in Srinagar with Syed Ali Gilani in the chair. The meeting observed that if 60,000 yatris were allowed to visit Amaranth cave every day it would have detrimental effect on the fragile atmosphere of the area. “If preventive measures are not followed it would create serious environmental problems in Kashmir,” a statement issued after the meeting said.

The Executive Council said that the policy makers in Delhi not only wanted to meet their political objectives but under the garb of a simple religious tradition they were hell bent to disturb the environment and put the lives of yatris in danger.

Reiterating its demand for handing over the management of Amarnath Shrine Board to local Pandits, the Executive Council said, “The shrine board headed by Governor is working like a parallel administration in Jammu and Kashmir. The board instead of looking after the management of yatra is working to strengthen New Delhi’s control in the territory.”

The meeting strongly condemned the authorities’ decision of prohibiting the local school children from visiting Pahalgam and Sonamarg areas. “It is the worst type of imperialism. It is highly deplorable that the locals have to seek permission while as the people from outside the Valley have no such restrictions,” it added.

The Executive Council also castigated the puppet administration for launching Operation Shiva saying that it was aimed at maligning the Kashmiris’ ongoing liberation movement.

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