Advani slams Centre for Amarnath tangle

Ujjain, MP, Aug 28 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani today alleged that the Centre's United Progressive Alliance government had created an unnecessary controversy over the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board land issue.

''During the National Democratic Alliance government's tenure, Gen S K Sinha was Jammu and Kashmir Governor and ensured a lot of development work for facilities and security to Vaishno Devi pilgrims but the present Governor has complicated matters. An answer will have to be given to the public at the next assembly polls,'' he said here.

Referring to Jan Sangh leader Shyamaprasad Mukherjee's sacrifice for Kashmir's independence, the former deputy premier said that if Mukherjee's words were heeded then the situation would have been different.

''Separatist Hurriyat leaders have links with Pakistan and therefore do not allow a solution to the Kashmir issue. Pilgrims should be provided facilities on the lines of Haj houses in other parts of the country,'' he felt.

The Centre should endeavour to make land available to Hindus in Kashmir else there would be long-term consequences, Mr Advani warned.

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