The Hindu : Epicentre of terrorism has shifted to Pakistan: Advani

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002

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Epicentre of terrorism has shifted to Pakistan: Advani

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI DEC. 28. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today said that the international community would have to pay a heavy price if it failed to realise that the epicentre of terrorism had shifted from Afghanistan to Pakistan.

Speaking at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) raising day celebrations here, Mr. Advani said terrorist organisations "banned" by Pakistan following pressure from different quarters were now operating under new names to avoid detection.

"Training camps running in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which were earlier shut down or pushed back, have been reactivated." India had been fighting the menace of terrorism for the past 22 years but it was only after the September 11 attack last year that the world came to know how real and menacing the problem was. "Terrorist strikes at Bali, in Indonesia, and Moscow are just reminders of that."

Emphasising that the Jammu and Kashmir Government should refrain from giving a general amnesty to those arrested for militant activities, the Deputy Prime Minister advised it to consult the Centre before taking any decision pertaining to internal security. "Each and every case will have to be studied before coming to any conclusion."

"During my meeting with the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, on Friday, he pointed out three issues over which the people had given the mandate to his party — peace, good governance and economic and social justice. The second and third issues are to be handled by the State Government. However, on the issue of security and peace, it should seek the opinion of the Central Government."

Mr. Advani welcomed the formation of a committee headed by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary to review cases pertaining to the release of those arrested for their involvement in militant activities.

The notification, which was issued on Thursday, named the head of the Intelligence Bureau in the State as the Centre's representative in the committee.

On the State Government's demand that the paramilitary forces deployed during the Assembly elections remain there, he said such a move could pose problems as the Centre had promised the forces that they would be withdrawn after the polls.

Commending the CRPF's contribution in containing terrorist and extremist activities, Mr. Advani said the force had ensured free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir and in Gujarat.

Paying homage to those who had laid down their lives in anti-insurgency operations, he announced a grant of Rs. 2 crores to the CRPF's Welfare Fund.

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