VHP launches a mass agitation against land transfer row

New Delhi, August 10 : Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Sunday threatened a 'second Ayodhya' type agitation on shrine land row as it announced launching a mass agitation in New Delhi to press for transfer of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

Thousands of seers took to the streets in New Delhi on Sunday announcing their anger against the revocation of land transfer order and shouted slogans against N.N. Vohra, governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

Praveen Togadia, the leader of VHP said that the 100 acres of land should be handed over to the SASB in Kashmir failing which the organization would hold an all India road blockade on August 13 in support of the agitation.

He even threatened to launch an Ayodhya type agitation (that led to demolition of Babri mosque) to press for their demand.

"Until now, the agitation and protests were confined to Jammu. At the (on) 13th August, it will be expanded throughout the country and if need arises, we will be forced to give a call like Ayodhya, 'Chalo Amarnath, Chalo Jammu," said Togadia.

Meanwhile, an 18-member all-party delegation headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil met in Srinagar to assess the situation in the wake of the continuing agitation in Jammu over the Amarnath land transfer controversy.

The meeting was held a day after Patil had a meeting with the Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti (SASS), who is spearheading the agitation in Jammu.

The visit is being undertaken after deliberations in the all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The dispute began after the Kashmir government had promised to give forestland to the trust that runs Amarnath shrine. Many Muslims were enraged.

The government then backed down on its decision enraging many Hindus in turn who have launched a mass agitation in Jammu region for the past five weeks.

ANI