With violent protests over the Amarnath land transfer issue continuing unabated in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor N N Vohra on Thursday held an all-party meeting of mainstream political parties in the state to discuss a way to resolve the matter.
The meeting was called by Vohra to discuss the prevailing situation in the state and to find a way out of it, official sources said.
Abdul Rahim Rather (National Conference), Mehbooba Mufti (People's Democratic Party), Sofi Yousuf (Bharatiya Janata Party), Bashir Ahmad Kothoo (National Panthers' Party), and M Y Tarigami (Communist Party of India - Marxist) were among those who attended the meeting chaired by the Governor.
Playing into the hands of Jihadis
Vice-chancellor of Kashmir University Professor Riyaz Punjabi and Vice chancellor of Islamic University for Science and technology Professor Sidiq Wahid were among the others who participated in the parley.
'Unrest is a handiwork of politicians'
At least 21 persons including senior Hurriyat Conference leader Sheik Abdul Aziz have been killed and hundreds injured in police action during the last three days.
The state has been rocked by violent protests for and against the transfer of 40 hectares of forest land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to build temporary facilities to pilgrims visiting the hill temple.
