Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 15: In a significant development, the J&K Government today ordered a ban on the sale of meat and liquor within one kilometer radius of revered Purmandal-Uttarbehni shrines in district Samba along with a ban on cremation in the holy Devika River bed beneath Shiva Temple complex at Purmandal.
The order issued by District Magistrate Samba, Anuradha Gupta stated that it is an established fact that Purmandal-Uttarbehni shrines in Samba are famous pilgrimage centers visited by lakhs of pilgrims round the year and ban on the sale of meat and liquor in both these places was initially imposed in the year 1911 by the then Maharaja of the erstwhile J&K State.
In her order the District Magistrate (DM) further stated that in view of the sanctity of these shrines and religious sentiments of the local populace besides devotees visiting these shrines in lakhs, she impose the prohibition on the sale of meat and liquor within one kilometer radius of Purmandal and Uttarbehni shrines.
In another order banning cremation on Devika River bed beneath Shiva Temple complex in Purmandal, the DM stated that DM Jammu in the year 2003 while taking a note of the grave public nuisance caused due to emission of foul smell, water pollution, air pollution and also dragging of half burnt dead bodies by the animals to the nearby habitations, had ordered that the cremation of dead bodies shall take place only at the cremation shed constructed for the purpose.
In her order DM Samba further stated that she was satisfied that these haphazard cremations in Devika River bed have become a source of grave public nuisance, health hazardous and have become detrimental to the development of tourism in the area.
Exercising the powers vested to her as being a DM under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code 1973, Anuradha Gupta imposed a complete ban on cremation in Devika River bed beneath Shiva temple complex and stated that the same shall take place at the cremation shed constructed for the purpose.
The DM directed SSP Samba, SDM Vijaypur and Tehsildar Bari Brahmana to ensure implementation of these orders and also stated that any person found violating these orders shall be dealt as per law.
Both the orders shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain in force for a period of 60 days from the date of issuance, if not withdrawn/ rescinded earlier.
These orders were the outcome of concerns expressed time and again by Purmandal-Uttarbehni Coordination Committee, Sanatan Dharam Sabha Jammu and Shri Bhagwan Parshuram Trust over the issues hurting religious sentiments of the people and affecting tourism potential at the revered shrines of Purmandal-Uttarbehni.
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