NPP demands security for Amarnath yatris, taunts J-K Govt.'s appeasement policy

Jammu, July 11 (ANI): Demanding security for the Amarnath yatris, the National Panthers Party (NPP) today staged a protest against the BJP-PDP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir over the deteriorating law and order situation. Highlighting the BJP's assertion that there would be zero-tolerance towards separatists and anti-national elements, the NPP workers raised slogans against the saffron party. They also burnt effigies to vent their ire against the Mehbooba Mufti-led government. Expressing serious concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, NPP leader Hashdev Singh held the ruling dispensation's appeasement policy responsible for the present state of affairs. "The security scenario is deteriorating day by day. The law and order has totally collapsed in the state. Dozens have been killed and hundreds have been injured and government is nowhere to be seen, they are just making customary statements," Singh told ANI. "The present turmoil is because of the appeasement policy that has been followed by the government in the past," he added. The NPP leader further accused the government of giving undue importance to the separatists and anti-national elements. "A long rope has been given to the separatists and anti-national elements by the government. They released 634 stone-pelters, who aggravated the volatile situation in the state," Singh said. "They have opposed Sainik Colonies and all this at behest of separatists. When you follow appeasement policy, you have to pay for the consequences," he added. The Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier in the day confirmed the resumption of the Amarnath Yatra, three-days after it was suspended in wake of the violence in the state. An official statement by the state police said all the stranded yatris at the base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam have left for Jammu. "About 25000 yatris boarding 1612 vehicles from Baltal and 129 vehicles from Pahalgam crossed the Jawahar Tunnel this morning," it said. "Yatra was released from Baltal and Pahalgam towards Holy Cave this morning also. Till 1200 hours, 2462 yatris left these camps for dharshan today. The air services are also going normally and 449 pilgrims left for dharshan by air. 2799 pilgrims had dharshan at the Holy Cave today," it added. Earlier, it was decided that no fresh batch of pilgrims would be allowed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatra base camp and that the yatra would be allowed only after the assurance of security of pilgrims. Meanwhile, normal life in the Kashmir Valley remained paralysed for the third day today due to the curfew-like restrictions and separatists-sponsored strike. The death toll due to clashes between protesters and security forces has reached 23. Over 250 people were injured across Kashmir valley, with more than three dozen sustaining bullet injuries. Curfew-like restrictions continued to be in place in many parts of the Valley including parts of Srinagar city. Mobile internet and train services remained suspended. Shops and business establishments are closed in Srinagar. Public transport is also off the roads. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday chaired a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Centre is working with the state government to bring normalcy in the valley. In a tweet, Singh appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain peace. (ANI)