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Thursday, Aug 30, 2007
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Advani blasts failure to prevent terror attacks

Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI: The Leader of Opposition, in the Lok Sabha L.K. Advani, on Wednesday asked the United Progressive Alliance government not to “communalise” the war on terror, and give up its “vote bank” politics to deal with terrorism. He also demanded revival of legislation such as the Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act (POTA) to fight terror.

Speaking on an adjournment motion on the government’s “failure” to contain terrorism in the wake of the Hyderabad blasts, Mr. Advani said the government had failed in preventing terror attacks, investigating them properly and ensuring punishment to the culprits.

Amidst disruptions from members of the Congress and its allies, he recounted 10 major terror attacks in the country in the past two years, and said the government had failed to bring the culprits to book.

“Appeasement politics”

The former Deputy Prime Minister accused the UPA of resorting to “appeasement politics,” which, he said, amounted to “appeasement of terrorism,” He cited examples such as the government’s decision to carry out a headcount of the minority community in the Army and reservation in Andhra Pradesh and Aligarh Muslim University.

“Let us forget majority and minority communities. A terrorist is a terrorist. He has no religion,” Mr. Advani said.

He accused the government of releasing under “political pressure” three suspects, who had information about the Mecca Masjid blast and could have given vital clues about the nefarious plans of terror organisations.

Referring to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposal after the Hyderabad blasts to set up a relief fund for terror victims, Mr. Advani said it showed that the government was more concerned about creating a relief fund than strengthening the intelligence system.

“I agree [that] strong laws alone will not stop terrorism,” he said. Because of POTA only culprits were punished and Mohd. Afzal was sentenced to death, Mr. Advani pointed out and alleged that the “government was trying to save him.”

Dismissing charges that the Government was trying to “communalise” the situation, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said it was Mr. Advani’s “rath yatra” that caused communal tension in a big way. “He should feel ashamed of making such charges against the government,” he said.

“The problem with Mr. Advani is that he remembers Jinnah when in Pakistan and Ram temple in Parliament. This is not helping the country,” he said.

Initiating the discussion, Prabhunath Singh of JD(U) said internal security was under threat and the government needed to do more than just giving statements. He demanded a strong anti-terror law like POTA and creation of a separate force to tackle terrorism and naxalism.

Blasts condemned

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday condemned the two blasts in Hyderabad.

Condemning these “cowardly, inhuman and diabolic acts,” Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said the House reiterated its resolve to maintain peace and communal harmony and defeat the divisive forces with courage, fortitude and unity. “We deeply mourn the loss of lives in these blasts and express our sympathy with the next of kin of the deceased,” he said.

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