Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 11: Pt. Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust in its meeting here today has expressed grave concern over the encroachment of the land belonging to Kapal Mochan Shrine in Batpora Shopian of Kashmir Valley by the Education Department (Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan) and demanded its immediate restoration to the holy shrine. The Trust members said delay in passage of Shrines and Temples Bill by the Government has led to these problems and it is astonishing that instead of anti social elements the Government agencies have themselves encroached the land of Hindu shrines and temples at various places and it was a big conspiracy to deprive the community of its religious places and shrines in Valley by and by. The meeting said that Kashmiri Pandits will resist such acts of Government agencies strongly and they will not allow any one to interfere in their centuries old religious places, which are the symbols of their age-old culture. The meeting said that Kapal Mochan is an ancient Hindu shrine the description of which dates back to Puranic period and by encroaching its land the authorities have played with the sentiments of Kashmiri Pandits in particular and entire Hindu community in general. The meeting in an appeal to Chief Minister and Revenue Minister sought their immediate intervention in the matter and restoration of land to shrine besides passage of Shrines and Temples Bill. The meeting also announced that amateur journalist award ceremony by the Trust will be held on November 18.
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