Act fast against separatist forces in J

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over the '' mass exodus'' of non-Kashmiri labourers from the Kashmir valley, the BJP today asked the Centre to take this into cognisance and act decisively against ''vicious designs of the separatists instead of facilitating migration.'' Party spokesman Prakash Javadekar said it was not just migrant labourers, both Muslims and Hindus were '' forced out of the valley.

About 1000 state government employees, over 100 medical and engineering students were also forced to leave.'' The separatists, who want to trade with people on the Pakistan side of the LoC, had now put up a fresh demand. They want power generated in Uri to be distributed within the valley only and not to the rest of the country, he said.

He said it was unfortunate that Union Home Secretary had confessed about ''the insult committed against the national flag and waving of Pakistan flag in Kashmir by the separatist elements on Independence Day. His saying that the focus was on saving lives and properties and that is why he had chosen to ignore such incidents was shameful,'' Mr Javadekar said.

''It was surprising that the Government too had complied with the dictates of the separatists calling for a blackout on Independence Day,'' he said.

''The Pakistani elements were crying about 'economic blockade' even when the number of trucks entering the valley was 2,300 in July 2008 compared to 2000 trucks in the same month last year.

The drivers and cleaners of the trucks were attacked by the extremist elements,'' he said.

Mr Javadekar said ''the situation was deteriorating due to lack of foresight and political will on the part of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and it should own the responsibility.'' He said the BJP wanted ''a negotiated settlement on the demand of land for the Amarnath Shrine Board as delay would harm the integrity of the country.'' ''The Government must address the aspirations of nationalists and should not buckle under pressure of the forces not willing to be part of a big country,'' he added.

Mr Javadekar did not say anything on whether Leader of Opposition L K Advani and BJP president Rajnath Singh would address the August 25 rally at Jammu. Instead, he said, the Amarnath Sanghash Samiti will decide on the time and speakers.

UNI MCN/KAS SK RP HS1752