1 September 2008

It is a welcome relief that after many weeks of turmoil and agitation, an agreement has, at last, been reached between the State Government and the Sri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti. I urge that all concerned in Jammu as well as in the Valley should now accept the Agreement in good grace.

Apart from the reconstitution of the Sri Amarnath Shrine Board, what is urgently needed are measures by the Government of India, the State Government and civil society to try and make up the massive losses that have been incurred both in Jammu and in Kashmir by disruption of normal trade, commerce, tourism and daily life. The autumn tourism season is still ahead of us, and it is imperative that normalcy be restored in the State so that the season is not disrupted.

Special measures will need to be taken to help students overcome the backlog so that they do not lose an academic year. For this purpose coaching classes will be required at the school and college levels. I also hope that compensation to the next of kin of those who died in the course of this prolonged agitation, both in Jammu and in Kashmir, is paid expeditiously.

Dr. Karan Singh