Mulayam provided protection to SIMI: Joshi

Indore, Aug 2 (UNI) Holding the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) responsible for increasing terrorist incidents in the country, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi today blamed Samajwadi Party President Mulayam Singh Yadav for providing protection to SIMI.

Mr Joshi told medipersons here that Mr Yadav had got about 150 cases against SIMI in Uttar Pradesh dropped to reap electoral benefits.

''This provided strength to the outfit, which carried out several bomb blasts and terrorist incidents. These terrorists also got local support,'' he said.

He called on for all parties to get together against terrorism, bringing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) back along with necessary amendments and strengthening intelligence agencies.

On Kashmir, he said irresponsible behaviour of the state government and the Governor had led to the situation. He demanded returning of land allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

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