Raut said that demonetization and surgical strikes have failed to make an impact on cross-border terrorism in the valley.
Lashing out at the Narendra Modi-led government over Monday's attack on the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir, the Shiv Sena said the Centre's showpiece measures of demonetization of high-value currency notes and surgical strikes on terror launchpads had failed to deter militancy in Kashmir.
"The Shiv Sena's stance is that the attack on the bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims is an attack on the strong and brave government in Delhi. A strong stance is needed to send across a message that the government has guts and a 56-inch chest," said Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who is also the executive editor of the party organ Saamna, while calling on Pakistan and it's terrorist proxies to be punished militarily.
The attack by suspected LeT terrorists, has led to seven deaths, including two casualties from Maharashtra, and 19 pilgrims were injured.
"When the note ban decision was taken, we were told that it would impact terrorism and finish it. But, this has not happened," charged Raut, adding that similarly, the surgical strikes across the LoC had also failed to have a deterring effect.
Stressing that just issuing condemnations would be of no use, Raut said, "It is the the responsibility of the government to ensure that the Amarnath Yatra goes on smoothly and is not stopped."
"If the Amarnath and Vaishno Devi yatras do not go on smoothly, then the question is who will help the 80 crore Hindus in this country?" questioned Raut, pointing to casualties of defence personnel and civilians in Kashmir.
Raut noted that in 1996, after terrorists had issues threats to Amarnath pilgrims, the late Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray has warned that even if one yatri was attacked, no planes carrying Haj pilgrims would be allowed to take off from anywhere in India. This had led to the pilgrimage passing off peacefully, said Raut, while urging a strong response.
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