Implement POTA to counter terrorism: Togadia

Jammu, Oct 5 (UNI) Lambasting the Centre for being lenient to the militants, the Vishaw Hindu Parishad (VHP) national president Dr Praveen Togadia today demanded the implementation of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) to deal with the bug of terrorism in the country.

''It was just the beginning of militancy in the year 1990, when it started from Kashmir, I warned the Centre to be alert but no attention was paid to my words. Now the disease (militancy) had gripped the entire country, which immediately required to be cured,'' Dr Togadia said, while addressing the gathering at a function organised here by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti (SAYSS) to compensate the families of those who lost their lives during two-month long agitation over Amarnath land row.

''Implementation of POTA at the earliest is the only solution to tighten the noose against the rising militancy as mercy to the anti-national elements is of no benefit to the country,'' the VHP president added.

''The militants should be eliminated or arrested and also be punished under strict laws, which will help in fighting militancy,'' Dr Togadia added.

UNI VBH AKJ HT1922