Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 19: Panthak Morcha, Jammu and Kashmir has urged the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan to allow re-construction of damaged Gurdwaras and other religious places of Sikhs in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) and also allow the Sikh Sangat to visit these places in `Jathas’ like Nankana Sahib and other parts of Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference here today, president of the Panthak Morcha, S Gurcharan Singh, hailing from Jammu said that he recently visited several religious places at Muzaffrabad, Chakoti, Bhag and other places in PoK and found that these places are in pitiable condition. Some of the places have been occupied by security forces of Pakistan, some grabbed by civilians while others were abandoned and need immediate repair and re-construction.
He disclosed that he along with some other people from Jammu and Poonch had visited PoK in 2009 and had met the then Prime Minister of PoK and he had assured the J&K delegation that he will get these places vacated and provide protection. A little improvement was witnessed at a few places. He said two religious places of Guru Hargobind Ji at Muzzaffrabad city and also near Chakoti should be allowed to be reconstructed by the Government of Pakaistan and Indian Government should take up the issue with them.
Another important place of Hindus, Sharda Peeth also need immediate attention and it should also be opened for pilgrimage for the Hindus living in this side of the LoC. All these places need repair and reconstruction and both the Governments should respect the religious sentiments of the people and allow proper upkeep and repair of these places. Mr Singh said that he returned from PoK on July 9, 2013 and submitted memoranda to Prime Minister of Pakistan and Indian Prime Minister in this regard besides a letter to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Amritsar and Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to take initiative in this regard.
Chairman of the Panthak Morcha Rajinder Singh, Mohinder Singh, Kulwinder Singh and P K Ganju also spoke on the occasion. They urged the people from both the communities in India and Pakistan to exert pressure on both the Governments so that these places could be well protected and reconstructed and handed over to the Management Committees.
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