Geelani threatens agitation over concrete road to Amarnath shrine

Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Oct 18:  Chairman hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani today threatened agitation against the Government decision to construct a concrete road up to the Holy Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here in the morning, Geelani said that construction material has already been dumped at Chandanwari and Sheshnag en-route the Amarnath Cave. Geelani said that the Pahalgam area has become out of bounds for the locals adding that the construction would lead to environmental disaster.
“People should be ready for agitation after Eid-ul-Azha against the Government move to construct concrete road up to the Amarnath Cave. The agitation programme would consist of strikes and protests said Gellani.”
He said that the State Government has succumbed to the pressure of Government of India and they are not raising any objection to the construction of the concrete road.
“The non-seriousness of the State Government can be gauged by the fact that they did not send any attorney to Supreme Court to clarify its position on the construction of the concrete road. The Government of India is fulfilling its agenda through Governor N N Vohra,”said Geelani.
Geelani said that Amarnath yatra should be managed by Kashmiri Pandits adding that the yatra should be limited to 15 days only. He said the prolonged yatra spell gives birth to many complications. He accused SASB of creating a state within state by constructing exclusive infrastructure for the Amarnath yatris.
Geelani pitched for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir valley and said that Kashmir Pandits are always welcome back. He said the Kashmiri Pandits want to settle down at their native places while as the State Government is forcing them to put in security zones located in the Valley.

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