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Suspension of Agitation Normalcy has returned to Jammu region after the Sri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) suspended more than two months’ old agitation  . SAYSS took the the decision of suspending the agitation after it reached an agreement with the four member panel appointed by the J&K Governor NN Vohra. Both the parties reached an agreement after seven-hour long discussions in the fourth round of the talks.

Agreement According to the agreement Sri Amarnath Shrine Board headed by Governor will be responsible for the overall arrangements for the pilgrimage on both of the routes. It will be the responsibility of the board to construct prefabricated huts and toilets for the pilgrims. Board will also manage the facilities for the shopkeepers, ponywalla’s and pithuwalla’s , setting up of free langars by private persons, parking of vehicles and security. It will also take steps for preservation of ecology and land protection and conservation.

According to the agreement the proprietary status/ownership/title of the land will remain with the owner and the land will be used by the Board only for the duration of the yatra. It will also include the time of setting up of facilities and and then winding them up. However, nothing has been said about the period the yatra. One government official on condition of anonymity said that it is not the part of the agreement as its  exclusive right is with the board. It is Board that decides the duration of the yatra as it largely depends on weather conditions

.However, pilgrimage period will not exceed two months.

Demands Samiti had demanded withdrawal of criminal cases against agitators, compensation to the families of the deceased and injured and compensation to the traders and other business establishments that suffered huge losses during the agitations. Government agreed to withdraw the bailable non-serious nature cases against the agitators and remaining cases will be reviewed within 60 days by a committee headed by principal secretary. Except it Governor would form a committee that will look into the compensation related demands. It will send a report to the central government to provide financial support to compensate the losses suffered by the traders and business establishments within the time of two months.