Front Page
PM sees conspiracy to disintegrate country
By Sarabjit Pandher
The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, at an election rally in Bathinda on Sunday. - PTI
BATHINDA, FEB. 10: The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today warned that through a deep-rooted conspiracy by abettors of global terrorism, an attempt was being made within India to disintegrate the country.
Addressing an election rally here today, Mr. Vajpayee appreciated the co-operation of the UAE authorities in apprehending and deporting Aftab Ansari, the main accused in the terrorist attack outside the American Center in Kolkata. He called for the setting up of an organisation at an international level to counter terrorism, against which the U.S. had taken the lead.
Mr. Vajpayee said initial investigations proved that Ansari possessed a Pakistani passport indicating the involvement of Islamabad in terrorist activities in India.
``Is this not evidence that Pakistan is sheltering terrorists? Why do such individuals go to Pakistan?'' he asked. He complimented the role of the police officers and intelligence agencies in establishing Ansari's role in the Kolkata attack.
Mr. Vajpayee sought to remind that Pakistani passports were recovered from the bodies of the terrorists whose attempt to kill Parliamentarians was aborted by the valiant staff. As in the Kargil conflict, Pakistan refused to accept the bodies, he said.
Dismisses allegations
Mr. Vajpayee dismissed the allegations made by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, on the eve of the latter's visit to the U.S., that India was responsible for the disappearance of the Wall Street Journal reporter, Daniel Pearl.
During the visit of former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, to the country, Pakistan had tried to blame India for the massacre of Sikhs at Chhattisinghpora in Jammu and Kashmir. Such wild accusations could not be believed by anybody, as everybody knew who was behind such acts, he said.
Pakistan is yet to respond to the demand regarding the handing over of terrorists wanted by India. New Delhi favoured reviving talks with Pakistan, but this could not be unilateral and sought proper steps for creating a conducive atmosphere.
The Army deployment along the border would continue till Pakistan continued with abetting terrorist activities against India, he said.
The international community had accepted the Indian point of view. The attack on the World Trade Center (WTC) had made the U.S. realise the gravity of the activities of forces such as the Taliban. Those countries which had imposed restrictions previously had begun selling arms and ammunitions after they realised that India could indigenously meet its requirements. Instead of spending large amounts on armament, India wanted to invest in development activities. ``But Defence was of paramount importance.''
`Cong. crumbling'
Mr. Vajpayee said he would avoid criticising the Congress despite charges by its president, Sonia Gandhi, on the coffins scandal. The Congress was indulging in mudslinging as it was gradually crumbling in the absence of proper leadership, he said.
The Union Minister and Akali secretary-general, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, sought a ban by the Election Commission on the publication of poll surveys.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Front Page
|
