JKNPP accuses BJP of jeopardising security of state; protests Centre's directive to vacate land held by army

Jammu: JKNPP on Monday protested against Centre’s alleged directive to army to vacate five strategic areas in the state by March end and accused the BJP of “compromising” national security for power. Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party activists, led by its chairman Harsh Dev Singh, held demonstrations against the BJP government at Centre for its “proxy” directive through Governor NN Vohra to the army to vacate land to “lure” PDP for sharing power in the state. [caption id=“attachment_2688660” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of harsh Dev Singh. PTI[/caption] Singh claimed the Governor had persuaded the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda to surrender over 16.30 acres of state land adjoining the Jammu University campus, 212 acres of land at Tatoo Grounds in Srinagar, 456.60 kanals of land at High Grounds, Anantnag in South Kashmir and lower plateau Khurba Thang in Kargil before 31 March. “This will seriously dent the morale of the armed forces and pave the way for withdrawal of AFSPA from the state in a phased manner,” he said. “The strategy would further embolden the secessionists and the anti-national elements who are bent on erasing the foot prints of the army from Kashmir,” he said. Singh accused the BJP of jeopardising the security of the state and compromising national interest to “appease and lure PDP for power sharing in the state”. JKNPP President Balwant Singh Mankotia said the Constitution and the democracy were being “held hostage” by the BJP for political gains. It was announced on 18 March that the army will vacate large tracts of land held by it at four places in Jammu and Kashmir, including the 212-acre Tatoo ground in Srinagar, by month-end, one of the demands by PDP for formation of government with BJP. PTI