Kashmir: Advani cautions Centre

END OF A YATRA: Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha L.K. Advani (third from right) waving at the crowd at the valedictory of the `Vikas Yatra' in Udupi on Tuesday. Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (second from right) and other BJP leaders are seen.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani on Tuesday alleged that the UPA Government at the Centre was subtly preparing the ground for a compromise on the Kashmir issue.

Addressing the valedictory of the 16-day "Vikasa Yatra" undertaken in 23 districts by the BJP here, Mr. Advani warned the UPA Government against any compromise on Kashmir. "The country will not tolerate any compromise on the Kashmir issue," he said.

"In the Lok Sabha, I will demand the UPA Government to tell the country what is happening behind the screen on the Kashmir," the BJP leader said.

He urged the UPA Government to take Parliament into confidence before taking any decision on Kashmir. "Any compromise on the Kashmir issue will amount to creating a political harakiri," he argued. He said some recent incidents, including the demand by People's Democratic Front leader Mufti Mohammed Syed to withdraw the Army from Jammu and Kashmir, gave a hint of the possibility of a compromise on Kashmir.

He alleged that two leaders of the banned terrorist outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba had raised anti-India slogans at a recent rally in Kashmir. "Hurriat Conference leader Geelani, who is acting at the behest of the outside forces, was present at the conference," he alleged and demanded that Geelani be arrested.