Opposition demands statement on U.S. 'breach of regulations'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 28. The Lok Sabha today witnessed uproarious scenes during zero hour over the violation of Indian air space in Chennai by a reconnaissance helicopter of the U.S. Navy on Monday. Angry Opposition members charged the Government with turning a ``blind eye'' to the country's security and staged a walkout.

Vociferously demanding a statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on the issue, the Opposition members also rapped the Government for the absence of senior Ministers in the House.

Claiming that the U.S. chopper flew over strategically important installations such as the Kalpakkam fast breeder nuclear reactor and other vital establishments for two hours, the members accused the Government of surrendering to U.S. pressure.

Even after 48 hours of the violation of airspace, the Government had not come out with a suo moto statement, they said.

Raising the issue, Mr. M. Janardhana Reddy of the Congress sought to know the reasons behind the Government's silence. He termed the incident as a threat to national security. His party colleague, Ms. Margaret Alva, went a step further and alleged that the U.S. ship had docked in Chennai to let its crew and troops enjoy ``rest and recreation.''

The Congress chief whip, Mr. Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, demanded the presence of Mr. Vajpayee in the House. The former Prime Minister, Mr. Chandra Shekhar, described the incident as a ``serious matter'' and said it was customary for the Government to make a suo moto statement on such matters.

``It is very unfortunate that the Government is keeping quiet. Members are agitated because no senior Minister is present. The minimum that is required from the Government is that it should explain what action it has taken,'' Mr. Chandra Shekhar said, adding that the House should not appear to be divided over the issue.

The Samajwadi Party leader, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, said that in the all-party meeting convened by the Prime Minister on September 27, it was assured that no base would be given to the U.S. ``This is a national issue. The battle against terrorism is not being fought by the BJP - but the BJP is, in fact, supporting it,'' he said citing the example of the release of the three terrorists flown to Kandahar during the hijacking of the Indian Airlines aircraft.

The Congress member, Mr. S. Jaipal Reddy, described the violation of airspace as an ``assault on national sovereignty'' and demanded an explanation from the Government. The CPI(M) leader, Mr. Somnath Chatterjee, said that it appeared as if the national interests had been ``sold'' to the U.S.

The agitated Opposition members were in mood to listen to the BJP member, Mr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, and said as a party spokesman, he could speak only outside the House. Mr. Malhotra explained that he was availing himself of his right as a member to speak.

Conceding that it was a ``serious matter,'' Mr. Malhotra said the members had a right to know about the facts. He would suggest to the Government to make a statement on the issue.

Mr. Sudip Bandopadhyay of the Trinamool Congress expressed concern over the incident and supported the demand for a Government statement .

The Deputy Speaker, Mr. P.M. Sayeed, suggested that it would be better if the Minister concerned made a statement in the House tomorrow. The Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, is expected to do so.

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