Remain vigilant against disruptive forces: PM

By Sarabjit Pandher

KILLIANWALI (Muktsar), SEPT. 25. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, said India's stand that terrorism was a global issue, and not regional, stood vindicated. He appealed to the people to remain vigilant against the forces of disruption, especially in view of the prevailing international scene which had changed drastically after the September 11 terrorist strikes in the U.S. Addressing a ``Sadbhawana'' (goodwill) rally today in this remote village of Muktsar, home district of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Mr. Vajpayee said it was

unfortunate that the world community had ignored New Delhi's concerns over the spread of terrorism in the past. Without naming Pakistan, he said a neighbouring country was continuing to sponsor and abet terrorism in the name of `jehad' (holy war).

The rally was organised to mark the birth anniversary of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Chaudhary Devi Lal, who was also former Chief Minister of Haryana.

Mr. Vajpayee called upon the people of the nation to understand the exigency caused by the crisis in the international community. While he cautioned the countries sponsoring terrorism that India was capable of defending itself, he called upon the people to set aside regional differences and stand united in the interest of internal security.

Mr. Vajpayee assured the farmers that the Government was taking all steps to deal with the challenges raised by the implementation of the WTO agreement. He underlined the need for improving the quality of farm produce in the country, to compete effectively in the world market. He recalled the developments in the field of agriculture in the post-Green Revolution period, when the country had come to the threshold of exporting food grains.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal made a populist announcement that the State Government had decided to abolish the levy of octroi from October 1. With this, the ruling Akali-BJP alliance had fulfilled its promise made prior to the 1997 elections.

The Union Minister, Mr. Pramod Mahajan, referred to the release of a postage stamp in the memory of Ch. Devi Lal and said for the first time a commemorative stamp of a leader was being released in public. The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Om Prakash Chautala, presented a book on the life of Ch. Devi Lal to the Prime Minister who released it.

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