Activist commits suicide over Amarnath land transfer issue

Srinagar, July 23 (ANI): A man in Jammu and Kashmir committed suicide today, to protest the cancellation of the land transfer to the Amarnath Shrine Board. Kuldip Dogra decided to give up his life to pressurise the State authorities to accept the demand for the return of land. The Jammu and Kashmir Government was forced to back down on its decision to transfer 100 acres (40.47 hectares) of forest land to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) due to a week-long protest. Staging protests in Jammu, activists of Amarnath Sangharsh (struggle) committee said if the authorities do not return the land more such sacrifices will be made. During the two-month-long pilgrimage, thousands of devotees from all over the country visit the cave shrine, situated at an altitude of 3,800 metres (12,700 feet), to pray to Lord Shiva. (ANI)