PNBMT’s concern over continuous encroachment of shrines’ land

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) held a meeting of the Executive Committee here, today to take stock of recent attempts to grab the land at Dalseer, Pahalgam and also at the important shrine of Chakrishwar Hari Parbat.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Roshan Lal Pandita and was attended by vice chairman, Shiban Khaibri, general secretary, Shadi Lal Koul Rais, secretary, Sundri Lal Koul and the patron of the Trust, Kashmiri Lal Bhat.
While addressing the meeting chairman of the Trust, Roshan Lal Pandita expressed serious concern over the recent attempt of land grabbing at Chakrishwar Hari Parbat. He said that the community is shocked that the land of one of the most revered shrines of Kashmiri Pandits is being usurped by some unscrupulous elements. These elements have become so much emboldened that they have put up boards claiming ownership of the shrine land right in the heart of the Srinagar city.
Pandita added that the time for the passage of the Temples Bill is now otherwise the community will lose its priceless heritage forever. In the absence of a legal and Constitutional mechanism it is not possible to protect around fourteen hundred temples and shrines in the Kashmir Valley, he said. Only the force of the law, on the lines of a Wakf Board or a Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee can protect the temples of Kashmir, he added.
Shiban Khaibri apprised the members about some important meetings held at Sanjeevni Sharda Kendra. The meeting has rekindled the hope that a positive outcome in relation to the Bill is in the offing and community needs to maintain a close contact with all the important functionaries In this regard. In this connection the address of the RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat on the occasion of coming Navreh festival to the community is highly encouraging and community looks forward to it with great expectation.
Kashmiri Lal Bhat said that community must shed negativity and continue working for the passage of the bill with renewed vigour. He said that the day is not far when the all important legislation would come into effect and KPs dream of saving the temples of Kashmir would be realised.
He added that the recent statement of the Lt. Governor regarding the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir is highly encouraging. Kashmiri Lal raised the issue of displaced Agricultural land owners and said that the rights of the internally displaced land owners have been seriously jeopardized by the Revenue Department.