The Hindu : Front Page : Shocked, horrified: Manmohan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 28, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Shocked, horrified: Manmohan

New Delhi Bureau

New Delhi: As news broke of the former Pakistan Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, the government asked the forces guarding the borders to remain vigilant. All State governments were advised by the Union Home Ministry to be on alert and thwart any attempt to disturb peace.

A tragedy: President

Describing the assassination as a tragedy for the people of Pakistan who had lost a leader in her prime, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil said: “it underscores the menace that terrorism poses to us and to the stability of our societies.”

In a statement from Port Blair, she said the assassination is a tragedy not just for Pakistan but also for the entire region.

“Shocked and horrified” to hear the “heinous assassination” of Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said it was a reminder of the “common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat.”

In a statement from Goa, he said: “Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India-Pakistan relations, and her intent to break India-Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the sub-continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country.”

Ms. Bhutto, according to Dr. Singh, was no ordinary political leader but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age. He extended his condolences to Ms. Bhutto’s family and Pakistan people, “who have suffered a grievous blow.”

Dr. Singh also asked National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan to brief Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha L. K. Advani on the developments.

Brave leader: Pranab

Describing Ms. Bhutto as a brave and outstanding woman leader of the sub-continent, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the assassination should “strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge” of terrorism.

“Ms. Bhutto’s contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations, and to the restoration of normality within Pakistan will be an inspiration,” he said.

Somnath expresses shock

In a statement, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expressed “profound” shock over the assassination. He hoped that the sub-continent would be rid off such attacks on democratic processes, and the people of Pakistan would reject such methods of terror and strengthen democracy.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page