KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Two days after BJP legislator Ashok Nanda flagged off controversial known Kounsar Nag Yatra from Reasi, the Kounsar Nag Bachao Front (KBF) in Kashmir Thursday warned it will launch Valley wide agitation if the Yatra is not suspended.
General Secretary KBF Sajad Noorabadi told CNS that the Front in a meeting has constituted a four member committee that will interact with political leaders including separatists.
“There is no historical background of this Yatra. People having RSS and BJP mind set are hell-bent to pollute the fragile environ of Kashmir Valley. Kounsar Nag Lake has much ecological importance as it provides water to half of South Kashmir’s districts. Kashmir’s glaciers are melting at a fast rate and if Kounsarnag was developed as a pilgrimage spot then the construction in the area would be disastrous for the ecosystem in Kashmir.
Local analysts say increased activity has led to a speedier melting of ice, cutting of trees and littering in the region. We will oppose the Yatra and will not allow any Yatri to pollute the environment,” he said adding that KBF will take legal course of action to stop this ‘insignificant’ Yatra in Kashmir.
Another member of the KBF said that they have sought the support from civil society, separatist organizations and common people to oppose this Yatra. “So what if BJP is at the helm of affairs. We will see how Civil Administration will erect tents and sheds in the fragile zone for the Yatris whose sole motive is to fuel tension in the region. If this ‘insignificant’ Yatra is not suspended, it will then have serious ramifications,” he said.
Last year the controversial Yatra was suspended after the people in Kashmir opposed the move citing what they called “cultural aggression” by India in the region to undermine its Muslim majority demographic. To quell the protests, then government had imposed curfew after the separatist had called for a State wide strike.
