Security of Kashmir should be handed over to army-BJP

Patna, July 16 (UNI) Taking note of stepped up terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP today demanded that the security of the trouble-torn valley be entrusted to the army.

BJP national vice-president Shanta Kumar told newspersons here that Jammu and Kashmir was in the grip of terrorists and their attacks in the valley indicated that it had become impossible for the state government to control the menace.

''In the given situation, the entire security of J&K should be handed over to the army for safety and security of the people, he added.

Criticising the Central government for its inability to curb terrorist attack at several places in the country, Mr Kumar asked the UPA government to frame stringent security policy with the consent of all political parties and assured that the BJP would support UPA on the issue of national security.

He alleged that UPA was soft towards terrorists and infiltrators in order to keep its vote bank intact.

Infiltration was a serious problem and the Central government was allegedly promoting it with an eye on its vote bank, he said.

Mr Kumar said his party would continue to fight terrorism, corruption and price rise at the national level.

To a query, he said the price of sugar could be controlled for which, he asked the UPA government to supply ten lakh tonnes of sugar in the market and stop its export. The price of all essentials did not rise for five years during the regime of the Vajpayee government, he said, adding it was historical achievement of the NDA government.

Addressing mediapersons, party state president Radha Mohan Singh said there was complete coordination between the BJP and JD (U) and the coordination committee would be announced tomorrow which would hold its meetings in Delhi.

Earlier, addressing the two-day state executive meetings, Mr Singh said the ministers in the state government from BJP quota were functioning efficiently.

During his presidential address, the senior leader of the party Kailashpati Mishra said the NDA government was striving to change the face of Bihar and live up to the expectations of the people. He appealed to the party members to strengthen the organisation and maintain discipline.

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