Dismiss J&K government for Amarnath attack: VHP

New Delhi, July 11 (IANS) Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia on Tuesday demanded the dismissal of the Mehbooba Mufti government in Jammu and Kashmir for its alleged failure to prevent a terror attack on Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.

Togadia, however, chose to avoid any critical comments against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Monday's terror attack in which seven pilgrims were killed in Anantnag district.

However, he said Modi should resolve internal problems first and then visit whichever country he wanted to.

"We condemn the attack in strong words. The government is saying that the bus was not registered (with the Amarnath Shrine Board). It is a lie. The government has failed to provide proper security to Hindu pilgrims. It should be sacked immediately," he told the media here.

"Give the state to the Army for six months to finish off terrorism. I am sure the situation will be under control in just 24 hours."

Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured when Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked their bus in Anantnag district.

"The locals are behind stone-pelting on our security forces in Kashmir. They are supporting terrorists. We need to deal with them strongly," he said.

The Hindutva leader also questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for being a part of the coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir despite the Peoples Democratic Party's "failure to keep terrorism in check".

"Why is the BJP showing helplessness in parting ways with the (Mehbooba Mufti) government, which has been soft on the stone-pelters?" he asked.

The VHP leader appealed to the central government to appoint a "full-time Defence Minister".

The VHP has declared a one-day protest shutdown in Jammu and also hold nationwide protests, including one at Jantar Mantar here, on Wednesday, said VHP General Secretary Surendra Jain.