[Reader-list] Mosque being constructed at Baltal Site

[Pawan Durani]

http://dailyshadowonline.com/theshadow/artdet.aspx?q=877

Jammu, Aug 16: The controversy regarding the construction of concrete
structures at Baltal by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board is all set to deepen
further with the revelations that Muslim community of the area is
constructing a huge Jamia Masjid exactly inside the camp site at Baltal
prompting Hindus to ask whether only Hindu structures were a threat to
ecology.
In a press release Jammu and Kahsmir Peace Movement (JKPM) has expressed
grave concern that while on the one hand Kashmiri Muslims say that
construction of any kind at the place would be a biggest threat to ecology
on the other hand they are in the process of constructing a huge Mosque
exactly inside the Baltal Camp site where pilgrims stay.
The place which has put the entire state on boil with twin regions burning
for the past more than a month this new revelation is likely to add fuel to
the already burning fire.
The press note issued by Krishan Koul, Chairman of J&K Peace Movement has
expressed his grave concern over the recent statements by some political
forces of the state, adding that the construction of Jamia Masjid inside the
camping site with the help of local contractor Shajan and his brother at
Baltal was a ploy to create another controversy to damage the secular fabric
of the state.
Supporting his argument with recent photographs of the site Koul said that
while interacting with the locals of the area one Mr. Bashir Ahmed told them
that the construction of the Jamia Masjid would start once the yatra was
over and lakhs of rupees have already been collected for the said
construction.
Koul has requested the administration to take strict note of this
development to avoid another controversy which may lead to more problems for
the administration.
Decrying Peoples Democratic Party, NC and other political parties of the
Valley for raking up controversies over the annual pilgrimage of Shri
Amarnathji, Koul has said that pilgrimage poses no threat of any sort to the
ecology of place and some political forces of the state are hell bent to
politicize the issue for their personal gains.
In the statement issued here on Saturday, Koul said that the Shrine Board
(SASB) had taken all the precautions to preserve the ecology of the area but
it were some political forces of the state who try to gain political mileage
by raking up the issue time and again.
He further said that the workers of his party visited the base camps at
Baltal and observed that every precaution was taken to preserve the ecology
of the area.
He said that the concerned board has taken all the measures to maintain
health and hygiene in the camping sites and en-route the Cave Shrine and
present turmoil was only to hoodwink the nation.