[Reader-list] IAKF Condemns Politicization of Amarnath Land Transfer

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

*Indo-American Kashmir Forum Condemns Politicization of Amarnath Land
Transfer*

*WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --* Indo-American Kashmir Forum
(IAKF, www.iakf.org) convened an emergency board meeting to discuss its
position and response to the evolving Amarnath crisis in the Indian state of
Jammu and Kashmir.

The Board reviewed the situation following the issuance and retraction of
the State Government Order authorizing temporary transfer of land to build
comfort facilities for Amarnath pilgrims. Over 400,000 Hindu pilgrims trek
during two months of every summer to the holy Amarnath shrine, situated at
over 12,000 ft. elevation in the Himalayan Mountain range in the
predominantly Muslim region of Kashmir. As described in Kashmir's historical
text *Rajatarangni*, the centuries-old shrine forms an important part of
Hindu religious heritage and culture. Over the past twelve years, hundreds
of pilgrims have died from snowfall and other natural hazards as well as
terrorist attacks along the route. The New York Times article dated June 28,
2008 [*Land Transfer to Hindu Site Inflames Kashmir**'**s Muslims*] stated
"In previous years, the pilgrims made tempting targets for militant Islamist
separatists."

The Board expressed its deep shock and sorrow at the loss of life in Kashmir
and Jammu regions of the state resulting from a series of poor
administrative decisions executed by the State government. IAKF is
distressed in the manner the Central Government in New Delhi at first
ignored mob politics by separatists and so-called pro-India political
parties in Kashmir valley and the resulting backlash in Jammu.

The minority Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) state government, before stepping down
and paving the way for the Governor's rule, exercised poor judgment in
rescinding a lawful cabinet decision on the land transfer by giving in to
mob violence and threats, even though the land transfer approval had taken
nearly four years of due diligence, and survived numerous legal challenges
and official departmental reviews.

IAKF believes in people's right to democracy and the rule of law. In the
case of pilgrim facilities for the Amarnath shrine, it means those illegal
and unilateral actions taken by authorities on July 1, 2008 must be
rescinded. Legal decisions on the land transfer taken by the State Cabinet
on May 20, 2008 and the subsequent Government Order issued on May 26, 2008
must be restored, both being consistent with the J&K State Assembly Act of
2000 and the J&K High Court decision of 2005 related to the holy Amarnath
shrine.

It is unfortunate to note that for nearly 48 days -- from June 23, 2008,
when Kashmiri separatists led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq met with both the
Pakistani Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, and the supreme commander of
the United Jihad Council (UJC), Syed Salahuddin, in Islamabad (Pakistan),
marking the start of street demonstrations in Srinagar, until August 9,
2008,  when the All Party Indian Parliament Team visited Jammu to initiate a
dialogue with Jammu protestors -- the government in New Delhi was
indifferent towards the people of Jammu.

IAKF recently organized a rally in downtown Boston, Massachusetts (USA) to
show support for the right of all pilgrims, regardless of their faith, to be
provided with safe and clean facilities en route to their place of worship,
including the Amarnath Shrine in Kashmir. Dozens of Americans of Kashmiri
origin were joined by others affected by the distressful news from J&K,
holding placards and attracting a large audience of onlookers. IAKF also
condemned the role of certain Kashmiri separatist and pseudo-secularist
politicians from the valley who have inflamed the public with rumors and
misleading statements. IAKF believes the present situation would not be as
grave had the J&K Government and the Central government in New Delhi acted
with wisdom and foresight.

IAKF was established in 1991 to inform the world community of the oppression
against Kashmiri Pandits that led to their forced exile from Kashmir due to
the influx of fundamentalist Islamic terrorism. IAKF wishes to raise
awareness of the human rights violations suffered by the Pandit community,
many of whom are still living in makeshift "refugee" camps in Jammu, India.
The organization seeks the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir valley
with guaranteed security and freedom to exercise their religious faith and
cultural way of life without fear or intrusion. IAKF provides reports to the
U.S. Administration, U.S. Congress, and several of Washington D.C.'s policy
think tanks. For more information, please visit www.iakf.org.

Link -
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/indo-american-kashmir-forum-condemns-politicization-of-amarnath-land-transfer,506439.shtml