Fulfilling the long pending demand of the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has now ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into illegal lease of temple of properties in Valley in order to expose the existing nexus. The Deputy Commissioners (DCs) across Kashmir division have also been directed to furnish the updated inventory of Religious Minority Properties (Temple, Gurudwara and others) within a week.
According to a communication which originated from the office of Assistant Commissioner with the office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir a letter has been issued to 10 Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir, wherein they were asked to probe illegal lease of temple. The Lieutenant Governor’s secretariat received numerous complaints exposing nexus between defunct temple trusts and senior government employees allegedly involved in illegally selling or leasing out temple properties in Kashmir.
“I am hereby directed to enclose herewith copy of communication along with its enclosures bearing O.M no. GAD-RMC/256/2022-LGRMC-GAD dated 20-05-2022 received from Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat References Monitoring Cell, Jammu & Kashmir with the request to ascertain any such instances in your district and take appropriate necessary action under rules with intimation to this office,” a letter issued from Divisional Commissioner’s office under number DIV.COM/Mig-121/7150795/46-57, reads. Besides, DCs have been asked to furnish the updated inventory of Religious Minority Properties (Temple, Gurudwara, Others) within a week positively
Dr Agnishekhar of Panun Kashmir while welcoming decision of SIT probe into illegal lease of Temple properties in Valley said we have been raising issue for past 33 years.We welcome constitution of SIT as it will help in exposing the existing nexus.
Chairperson of JK Peace Forum,Satish Mahaldar in a statement said, for past 33 years no government has taken any initiative to protect temple properties of minorities of Kashmir.