SHIMLA: "Irrespective of the expected terrorist infiltrations on certain points on the LoC, India has no reservations on opening up the same on humanitarian grounds after the recent earthquake tragedy," said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil here on Tuesday.

He said though all care would be taken to prevent possible penetration by terrorists, "yet we cannot back out from the compassionate gesture which is required to be shown at the time of crises to the suffering humanity". Mr. Patil, who was here in connection with the Northern Zonal Council meeting of Chief Ministers, said that his colleagues and experts were working on the possible strategic lines of entry on the LoC. "Necessary succour has to be provided to the ailing people in distress," he stressed.

The Northern Zonal Council meeting of Chief Ministers of all North Indian States which started here on Tuesday was held after six years.

It was attended by the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister of Rajasthan and senior officials from Uttar Pradesh.

Different issues like National Capital Region planning, transport systems, helicopter services, regional air services, employment guarantee scheme, right to information, Panchayati Raj, export of fruits, flowers and seeds and some other important issues of regional interests were taken up, said the Union Home Minister. Mr. Patil claimed that the meeting was held in a very convivial atmosphere and all the Chief Ministers made very valuable suggestions and raised important points in their statements. Sharing of power, water and good governance were discussed threadbare, he said.

"Such meetings are required in every region and they have not held from past 14 to 15 years in some zones," he said.

"The neighbouring States of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have been advised to develop some satellite towns to check mass migration to Delhi every year. The National Capital Region is bursting at its seams," Mr. Patil said. The Minister also informed that efforts were under way to establish a common economic zone for the North Indian States.

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