'Centre can tackle J&K terrorism on its own'

By J. P. Shukla

AGRA, OCT. 13. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, today expressed the determination of the National Democratic Alliance Government to tackle the menace of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir on its own. The Government had the capability to do it, he said, asserting that it would guarantee security not only in J&K but in every part of the country.

Speaking at the inaugural of the golden jubilee convention of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Nagar here, Mr. Advani said the country, facing the terrorism problem for over a decade, had drawn world attention to Pakistan's sponsorship of it as a state policy. Indian concerns had thus far been ignored but the chain of events after the terrorist attacks in America had changed the situation to the satisfaction of India.

Mr. Advani said the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. would be a turning point in the same way as the use of poisonous gases by Germany in the First World War and the use of atom bombs in the Second World War.

There was a direct link between the terrorist organisations responsible for strikes in the U.S. and those waging a proxy war from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir. The U.S. had found evidence of the involvement of Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement in the September 11 strikes. Many terrorists arrested or killed by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir were found to be in possession of photographs of Osama.The Jaish-e-Mohammed had owned responsibility for the attack and the outfit had been declared illegal. Its bank accounts had also been freezed. All these were welcome developments. It had now been accepted that terrorism was a curse for humankind.

Mr. Advani referred to comments by Opposition leaders that India had achieved nothing by supporting America's war against terrorism. Recent incidents pointed to the definite acceptance of Indian concerns, though it was India's own responsibility to face its problems. Any individual or organisation trying to create problems, would not be spared, Mr. Advani warned, citing the case of the Students Islamic Movement of India.

Mr. Advani promised to fully honour democratic principles while taking action against trouble-makers. The matter relating to the ban on SIMI would be duly examined by the judicial tribunal as provided under the law and the Government action would be scrutinised.

Senior BJP leaders and Union Ministers present at the inaugural function included Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Mr. Satya Narain Jatiya, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, the U.P. Chief Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh, and the U.P. BJP president, Mr. Kalraj Mishra.

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