KPs concern over conversion of shrine into water supply scheme

JAMMU, Dec 13: Peeved over the Government’s reported move of converting the Hindu religious shrine of Mangleshwar into a water supply scheme, the Kashmiri migrants from twin villages of Monghama and Sirnoo in Pulwama district of Kashmir have demanded immediate rescinding of the decision.

The Mangleshwar is the ancient Shrine of Kashmiri Pandits and the same is mentioned in revenue records, said Mr Pushkar Nath one of the office bearers of the Mangleshwar Asthapan Management Committee while talking to this correspondent.

He said as per the revenue survey number 992/349 the total land possessed by the shrine is one kanal and two marlas, out of which the holy spring exists on two marlas.

He said every year the religious functions are being performed at this shrine and devotees from the adjacent villages throng there to pay their obeisance.

He said the Kashmiri Pandits are in no way averse in using the water of this holy spring for drinking purposes by constructing the water supply scheme outside the shrine. But the way the government is going to close the shrine by ordering construction of water supply scheme within the premises of religious place has hurt the sentiments of the entire Hindu community, he added.

While criticising the move Mr Dwarika Nath another Kashmiri migrant from the village said the decision is bereft of sincerity on the part of the State government and the move is totally aimed at grabbing the Hindu religious place existing from years together.

He while challenging the decision of the government said from one side it is making the loud claims of the minorities return to Valley and on the other it is trying to grab their religious places which is the main link of the minorities to the land.

The decision has come even when over 15 Kashmiri Hindu families are putting up in the twin villages and visiting the religious shrine regularly.

Apprehending the move aimed at unsurping the shrine. Mr Pushkar Nath said in the past Muslims at a number of times made claims over the shrine but their moves were scuttled by the authorities of the time.

He said a dispute over the religious place also too place in 1980 when the Hindus of the twin villages managing the Asthapan were given a permission by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to take the possession of two felling Chinar tree in the shrine.

However, the Muslims objected to it and the Tehsildar Pulwama who was deputed as inquiry officer for onspot verification after going through revenue records released the wood in favour of the Hindus as the records showed the shrine belonging to them.

He said the government’s reported move has come as a rude shock to entire Kashmiri Pandit community.

In a letter to Deputy Commissioner Pulwama and Chief Minister, the migrants of the twin villages have apprised him of factual position regarding the Hindu Shrine.

They have expressed the hope that good senses will prevail on the authorities and they will not go ahead with the decision. However, these migrants have maintained that they have no objection if the water supply scheme is constructed outside the shrine and the sanctity of the religious place is maintained.