BJP demands restoration of land transfer order

Itanagar, Jul 3 (UNI) The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today expressed resentment over the Jammu and Kashmir government's move to revoke the land allotment order meant for the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for development of facilities for the Amarnath pilgrims.

''Revoking of the land transfer order has proved that the Congress is giving in to the whims of the fundamentalist and separatist forces creating a theocratic environment in the Kashmir valley,'' BJP sources said.

The land was allotted to the shrine board to develop facilities for pilgrims and use the it for limited purpose of tourism on a commercial basis, the party said and alleged that democracy and secularism were under threat in Jammu and Kashmir.

Demanding restoration of the earlier order, the party alleged that the UPA government at the Centre had trampled over the sentiments of the Hindus and was engaged in appeasing the anti-national separatist forces for petty partisan and vote bank politics.

The BJP also supported the 'Bharat bandh' call given by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) in protest against the SASB issue.

However, considering the recent devastating natural calamities, which affected the people of most of the districts in the state, the party had decided to defer the strike in Arunachal Pradesh, the sources added.

The party also decided to submit a memorandum to the Governor in protest against the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir government and demanding immediate restoration of the land to the Shrine Board.

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