Stone pelting in Kashmir: Squad of Muslims, sadhus begin journey to Valley, to perform yajna at Lal Chowk

Pic courtsey: ANI

Kanpur: In a mission to support the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir, a squad of 1000 people - comprising of sadhus and Hindu priests from Jan Sena, a Kanpur-based religious organisation, began their journey to the Valley on Sunday, apparently to help Army jawans and paramilitary forces take on stone-pelters in the strife-torn state. 

The squad consists of hundreds of common civilians including large number of Muslims, sadhus and the Shankaracharya Munisa ji Maharaj along with the President of the Jana’s squad Arun Parme Ji Maharaj.

Sadhu Balyogi Arun Puri Chaitanya, said that for the last few months he has been training volunteers from Kanpur to throw stones. He has also claimed that he would perform a yajna at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on May 10.

He also asserted that he has planned to visit Poonch, and Krishna Ghati, where the Pakistanis killed and mutilated the bodies of two Indian jawans.

"We plan to open patharbaji training centres in Kanpur and adjoining areas to teach more saints the art of stone-slinging," head of Jansena organisation, Chetan Mahapuri told ANI.

Another religious leader also claimed that people from other parts of the country are also willing to join the mission, which is to fight against stone pelters who are attacking the Indian Army in the Valley from last few days.

However, the mission is expected to face trouble as they have not received clearance for their visit.

"We sought permission from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow us into Kashmir for boosting the morale of jawans and helping them take on stone-pelters, but did not get it. The district administration also denied us permission. However, we are determined to go, regardless of the consequences. If our members are stopped, we will travel in our individual capacity and regroup once we get there," Arun Puri Chaitanay Maharaj said.