Updated on Saturday, August 02, 2008, 00:00 IST

Srinagar, Aug 02: Expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the wake of protests over Amarnath land transfer issue, Awami National Conference (ANC), on Saturday, asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to take all necessary steps on war-footing to control the situation.

"Any person, however high or mighty, found guilty of fuelling communal hatred inside or outside the state should be dealt with an iron hand and brought to the book," ANC president and former Chief Minister G M Shah said in a statement here.

The former CM advised all political parties to desist from emotional sloganeering and refrain from playing "region specific politics" at the cost of innocent lives "with only electoral gains in the mind."

He urged people to buy apples in large quantities to save fruit growers in the valley from losses in case the goods could not be transported to other markets due to the protests.

"It is the duty of the state administration to ensure safe passage of all incoming and outgoing commodities. In case of failure in this case, I appeal to each family in Kashmir to purchase two boxes of apples to overcome any emergency," he said.

Bureau Report