Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 5: Alleging harassment and humiliation at the hands of officials of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board officials who did not allow Sevadaars of Langars to pay obeisance at holy shrine on the morning of July 31, Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organization (SABLO) has demanded enquiry into the whole episode and action against guilty officials.
In a letter addressed to Governor SP Malik, SABLO said, “Despite playing an important role during Shri Amarnathji Yatra, Langar organizers are deeply shocked to learn about the mistreatment and humiliation meted out to the Bhandara Sewadars at Access Control Gate, Domail, when they were suddenly barred from proceeding to the holy cave for paying obeisance on the morning of July 31 with Camp Director, Domail citing specific orders from the Additional CEO Anup Kumar Soni, that no Bhandara Sewadar be allowed to cross Access Control Gate at Domail to pay obeisance at holy cave.
“This action smacks of some deep rooted conspiracy against the Bhandarawalas and its Sewadars in order to harass them physically, torture mentally and demoralize,” the Langars Organization said, adding that too was done when Bhandara Sewadars have been issued Identity Cards with Bar Coding by the Shrine Board after completion of the mandatory formalities, besides Compulsory Health Certificates issued from the prescribed Doctors for enrolling themselves as Bhandara Sewadars, same as the pilgrims do.
Condemning the act of SASB officials, the Langars organization said that such an act has been done to humiliate Bhandaras Organisations and their Sewadars who are rendering free services of distributing foods, blankets and providing night shelters to the pilgrims.
“Why only the Bhandara Sewadars were stopped to pay obeisance when the Yatra was at the fag end and a large number of Shrine Board officials, personnel of security forces and employees of the State Government paid obeisance during the Yatra period without obtaining Yatra permit as normal pilgrims.
Why Bhandara Sewadars alone have been targeted and asked to get themselves registered for Yatra permit if they wish to pay obeisance, SABLO questioned. It further stated that this type of act has happened for the first time and that too on the orders from a person sitting at senior and responsible post of Additional CEO, SASB.
Seek an high level investigation into this highly important episode, SABLO demanded that a sternest possible action be taken against the concerned Shrine Board Officials for passing such deplorable orders causing mistrust and disturbing harmony between the stake holders of the Amarnathji Yatra and causing bitterness amongst Bhandara Sewadars.
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