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Raipur, Aug 26 (UNI) Describing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as ''worrisome,'' Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former deputy premier L K Advani today said that it refreshed memories of the pre-1953 days.

''The situation is reminiscent of the times when a permit was needed for a visit there,' he said here while addressing a state-level convention of beneficiaries of the Chhattisgarh government's Nava Anjor poverty alleviation scheme.

On the one hand, people under the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Sangharsh Samiti banner are conducting an agitation holding tricolours in Jammu, Mr Advani said while adding that most of those under the banner of the Hurriyat and Peoples Democratic Party were carrying Pakistan's National Flag during agitations in the Valley.

''Jan Sangh leader Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had protested against Kashmir being accorded special status and his logic is being proved six decades later. He had said that people from any part of the country should be free to reside in any other part. If his words were heeded then the situation might have been different now,'' Mr Advani said.

Claiming that the Amarnath dispute seemed to have gone far beyond the shrine itself, he added that nationalism was pitted against separatism.

''Those indulging in so-called secular politics should comprehend that the country's unity and integrity are supreme. The manner in which terrorism and separatism were boosted in the roughly four years of United Progressive Alliance rule makes it appear as if nobody is secure in the country. Incidents took place during National Democratic Alliance tenure also but militants were caught,'' Mr Advani said.

Lauding neighbouring Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said that he was overwhelmed by the success of Gujarat Police in arresting those responsible for the incidents in Gujarat, Mumbai, Bangaluru and Jaipur.

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