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Probe into sale of J&K Pandits' shrine riches

20 Jan 2008, 0129 hrs IST,TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Probe_into_sale_of_JK_Pandits_shrine_riches/articleshow/2714596.cms

SRINAGAR: J&K government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged sale
of property belonging to shrines of Kashmiri Pandits by non-resident
pujaris. The government ordered the probe after the lone Kashmiri
Pandit MLA, Raman Mattoo, raised the issue in the assembly on Friday.

Custodians and pujaris of shrines mainly from Orissa and Bihar took
over the unattended temples/property in the Valley after the exodus of
Pandits in late 1980s. At many places such property was allegedly sold
and leased out to land mafia.

The caretakers have allegedly stolen valuables and expensive idols
belonging to shrines/temples.

"As of now, the managing committees were free to sell the temple
properties. But the government would now introduce an ordinance,
barring the selling of such properties," divisional commissioner,
Kashmir, Mehboob Iqbal, said.