Singhal issues ultimatum, warns of militant struggle

Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Apr 18 (UNI) Issuing an ultimatum to the Centre to announce an alternative alignment for the Sethu Samudram Channel Project with out razing the Adam's Bridge.

VHP President Ashok Singhal today warned that the Hindutva organisations would be forced to launch a militant struggle to protect the ''Ram Sethu''.

Addressing a public meeting to mark the launch of the Ram Sethu Protection Committee here this evening, Mr Singhal alleged that the Centre opted for the present alignment due to United States' pressure, which wants to turn the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar into international waters and thereby control the internationally strategic region.

He said the US was interested in rich thorium deposits in the sea bed in the region as well as in the shore extending upto Kerala coast.

The thorium deposits in the region were enough to solve the energy requirements of the nation for over a century.

The VHP leader said the Ram Sethu played a vital part in preventing the thorium deposits from flowing to international waters.

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