Jammu, May 16 (Scoop News) – “Provocation and vengeance cannot be the virtue of any democratically elected government”, said J&K BJP Chief Spokesperson & National Executive Member Dr. Jitendra Singh while expressing serious worry and concern over the manner in which the National Conference-led government in the state appears to be vitiating the atmosphere and instigating unrest on the eve of Amarnath Yatra by holding out threats of police action against Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and seeking the help of Punjab Police and para-military forces to intimidate them at entry points in Lakhanpur and other places.
Dr. Jitendra Singh referred to Nitish Sen Committee report of 1996 and the subsequent General Mukherjee report, which clearly stated that the duration of Yatra was primarily a prarogative of religious leaders and it was government responsibility to arrange for security as per the requirements of Yatra period and number of pilgrims.
Dr. Jitendra Singh reminded that Nitish Sen Committee was constituted following a tragedy claiming over 200 lives and the essence of Nitish Sen observations was to provide security to pilgrims for their protection and safety, and not for causing insecurity to them by threatening with risk to life in the hands of police and para-military agencies.
Referring to Shrine Board Act of 2000 which inspired constituting of Shrine Board in 2001, Dr. Jitendra Singh explained that the essence of an independent board with Governor as its Chairman was to keep it above any interference from political leadership of the ruling party and appealed to the Governor to immediately intervene before the situation takes an ugly turn.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also expressed disappointment over the role played by the Shrine Board Sub Committee which had, instead of taking a clear stand, tried to be evasive on the issue which is evident from the fact that on page no. 18 of its recent report, one after the other in three different paragraphs, three different dates namely June 25, June 17 and June 4 have been mentioned for possible commencement of the yatra.
Dr. Jitendra Singh took a serious note of the opinion in certain quarters that the NC-led government was deliberately influencing the Shrine Board to instigate trouble in Jammu region in the name of yatra duration in a bid to the appease the separatist constituency in Kashmir valley as a part of NC’s competitive policies with PDP.