VHP condemns J

Karur, Jul 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has strongly condemned the Jammu and Kashmir Government's withdrawal of the order for transferring 100 acres of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to provide infrastructure facilities to pilgrims.

Briefing newspersons on the deliberations of the organisation's two-day State Executive yesterday, VHP state unit Joint General Secretary Gopalaratnam said a resolution to this effect was adopted at the meeting.

The resolution also pointed out that the Centre had been spending Rs 250 crore for Haj pilgrimage every year. It demanded that the Centre should stop such ''huge expenditure'' besides deleting Schedule 370 of the Constitution, which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The VHP would present a memorandum in this regard to all District Collectors in the country from July 28 to 31 and present a similar petition to all State Governors on August 1.

It would also hold 'dharnas' in the District Headquarters across the country.

The meeting also urged the Centre and the Tamil Nadu Government to take steps to protect the Indian fishermen from the ''attacks'' of the Sri Lankan Navy, he added.

UNI RV SJ JT RK1125