![Representatives of Coordination Committee of Temples and Shrines of Kashmir at a press conference at Jammu on Monday. —Excelsior/Rakesh Representatives of Coordination Committee of Temples and Shrines of Kashmir at a press conference at Jammu on Monday. —Excelsior/Rakesh](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/page7-4-8.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: Coordination Committee of Temples, Shrines and Ashrams (CCTSA) of Kashmir today alleged that the religious places of Hindus and their immovable property continue to be under threat of criminal and anti social elements and land mafia who are patronized by opportunist politicians and a section of administration in the Valley.
Talking to reporters here today, Shuban Pandita the coordinator of the amalgam said that worst thing is that to avoid focus on the misdeeds of these elements facts are being distorted and issue is being diverted by describing it a Hindu Muslim problem.
Shuban Pandita said that burning of Radha Krishan Arya Swadhay Bhawan at Motiyar Rainawari is the latest example of a long process of vandalism, encroachment and misleading disinformation about religious places of minority Hindu community.
He said that administration, instead of verifying facts hurried to claim that no religious property was damaged. They uploaded image of a different temples to support their claim and to intimidate individuals who they considered potential people capable of exposing deception filed cases against them.
He said the displaced community has been moving from pillar to post , protesting and mobilizing public opinion to underline need to protect , preserve and safeguard socio religious property left behind by Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.
The leaders of Amalgam also alleged that the successive Governments have failed to address the issue of encroaching the land of temples and shrines and in some instances the Government agencies by building roads and offices on the land of temples encroached by these agencies. They urged the LG administration to take the issue with all required seriousness and initiate appropriate steps including restoration of pre 1990 status of these civilization symbols, identifying the land, punishing the guilty and compensating the losses incurred.
Temple and Shrines Prabhandhak Committees from every district of Kashmir are joining hands to protect and preserve the civilizational symbols together and fight against assault from mafia and also the apathy of the Government. They said the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha J&K is also part of the struggle. Coordination Committee will be contacting other socio-religious organizations like Sanatan Dharam Sabha to seek their support.