|
UPA Government under BJP fire for “bowing to terrorism” |
 |
The Prime Minister’s statement about the plight of families of Indian nationals suspected to be involved in terrorist activi¬ties in Britain has drawn criticism from the BJP. Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani speaking in Mumbai on July 11, said Dr. Manmohan Singh’s remarks are tantamount to condoning terrorism. Speaking on the first anniversary of the serial train blasts in Mumbai, Advani said one had not heard of the Prime Minister having sleepless nights over the plight of victims of the July 11 bomb blasts last year or the other terrorist attacks that had taken place in the past three years.
Criticising the Centre for what he called its failure to get to the bottom of any major attack in the last three years, Advani said this was because the UPA government lacked a firm plan of action to combat terrorism. He said the present government was bowing to terrorism and that all political parties, except the BJP, were seeking pardon for Afzal Guru convicted in the Parlia¬ment attack case.
Advani said in the July 11 serial blasts case, not much headway has been made despite Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s statement that the Government had evidence about the perpetrators of the blasts and would take stern action.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister held a meeting on July 12 to review the progress of investigations into last year’s Mumbai serial bomb blasts. Speaking on the occasion, he said the UPA Government will not rest till the guilty are punished. He said all those against whom cases have been registered and all those who are wanted in the case would be brought to justice.
PM lauds people of Mumbai
Dr. Manmohan Singh hailed the courage and forbearance of the people of Mumbai and their determination to stand united in the fight against terrorism.
The Congress termed Advani’s remarks as shocking and an attempt to denigrate the office of the Prime Minister. “Yet we are not surprised as the BJP leaders are in the habit of periodi¬cally trying to denigrate constitutional offices. It is sad that the Leader of the Opposition has chosen to do so now.” Congress spokesperson Renuka Chaudhary said, “All that we would like to tell Advani is that the whole nation knows which govern¬ment had encouraged terrorists as the Opposition leader will very well recall how the BJP-led NDA government had not only arranged a special aircraft for the terrorists to travel to Kandhar but even arranged ministerial escort for them. So, stop lecturing us on terrorism and patriotism.”
Reports say that the 13 people suspected of their alleged complicity in the July 11 serial blasts are expected to go on trial by the end of this month. But the mastermind of the plot, Azam Cheema and his two confidants are still eluding the police though their location in Pakistan has been ascertained.
PM asks Karnataka Chief Minister to check terror activities
With Bangalore becoming a focus of investigation into the failed Glasgow bombing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on July 13 to take serious steps to curb terrorist activities in the state with particular emphasis on the city. Kumaraswamy’s spokesperson said, the Prime Minister noted that Bangalore was one of the economically important cities and that all efforts needed to be made to protect its viability.
Dr. Manmohan Singh assured Kumaraswamy that the Centre would provide all support to the State government to put down terror¬ism.
The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister also discussed the Naxal problem. Dr. Manmohan Singh noted that it was a national issue and assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would posi¬tively consider Karnataka’s plea for a special package to tackle the problem.
|
