The Hindu : Sonia concerned over security situation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003

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National

Sonia concerned over security situation

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR SEPT. 15. The Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, today expressed concern over the increasing security threat to the nation, saying this had an adverse impact on the country's image in the rest of the world.

At an election rally in Sriganganagar, she said the deployment of forces along the border for almost a year was not of much help. "In fact, the whole exercise of massing the forces and their withdrawal later did not have any impact on Pakistan. Instead, the people of border areas such as Sriganganagar suffered in many ways including loss of lives and dismemberment to due to landmine blasts." Moreover, such people had not been compensated fully despite the State Government's repeated reminders to the Centre.

Landing in the district town of Hanumangarh, Ms. Gandhi travelled by road to Sriganganagar and reached out to the public waiting for her on the way. At some places, she got down from her car and mingled with groups of nomads. She was accompanied by the party general secretary, Ambika Soni, the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, the State party president, Girija Vyas, and local leaders.

In her address, Ms. Gandhi accused the BJP of practising politics of destruction (vinash ki rajniti) in the country. "The BJP is raising issues which have no relevance to development." It also raked up the temple issue before the elections to divide the people. But the Congress believed in the harmonious co-existence of all sections of society. "We are against the politics of dividing people. The BJP cannot be trusted," she said.

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