STATE TIMES NEWS
POONCH: The Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga on Saturday flagged off the Holy Mace (Chhari Mubarak) of Shri Budh Amarnath Yatra here from Dashnami Akhara, Poonch. The Chhari Mubarak after Pooja at Dashnami Akhara Poonch, was taken out by Raj Guru, Mahamandleshwar, Swami Vishawatmanand Ji Maharaj.
Legislators Shah Mohammad Tantray, Yashpal Sharma, Pardeep Sharma, Ravinder Raina, Vibodh Gupta and senior officers of district administration police and army, besides locals cutting across religious lines and members of Yatra Management Committees were also present on the occasion. The people in thousands from across the district accompanied the Charri Mubarak and Yatris up to Holy Cave of Buddha Amarnathji at Mandi- situated 30 km away from Poonch town on foot.
Speaking on the occasion, Ganga said the display of pluralistic sentiment and composite cultural of Poonch should serve as a source of inspiration for the rest of the regions of the State as well as the country.
MLA, Shah Mohammad Tantray said Poonch is a place of Sufis and saints and their teachings have always preached tolerance, goodwill and mutual respect for all religions. “No one can dare to harm these social values inherited since centuries form these Sufis and saints,” he asserted.
DDC Poonch Tariq Zargar also greeted the devotees and appreciated the people of Poonch for upholding the tradition of religious tolerance and communal harmony.
Meanwhile Ganga convened a public meeting at Poonch and listened to people’s issues.
Besides general public, the meeting was attended by MLC Pardeep Sharma , Custodian Chackan da Bagh, Tanveer Khan, Gen Manager DIC Poonch, Executive Engineers of PWD, PHE, PDD and other district officer from administration.