Prayers for Amarnath land row ‘martyrs’

Paying homage to those who had lost their lives in the Amarnath land row in Jammu, state BJP leaders on Friday raised the issue of non-payment of compensation to the traders, small businessmen and others who had suffered heavy losses during the 63-day long historic agitation in July 2008.

Striking an emotional chord with the people of Jammu region, BJP leaders warned the State Government and the Centre against failing to honour the assurances given by them at the time of calling off the agitation.

A separate homage ceremony for all the 13 “martyrs”, labelled as heroes of the agitation, was also organised by the members of the Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti, core group which had spearheaded the agitation. The land row had virtually brought two distinct regions in the State on verge of separation from each other on communal lines. Senior leaders Shamsher Singh Manhas, Chaman Lal Gupta and others also honoured the family members of the deceased.