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Civil defence alert sounded

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI MAY 22. Even as the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today talked about a decisive battle to end the proxy war thrust on the country by Pakistan, two critical meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) have been scheduled.

The first one is to be held tomorrow evening immediately after Mr. Vajpayee and the Union Home Minister, L.K.Advani, return from Srinagar, and the second one the next day.

Though the Government seems to be moving step-by-step in the direction that indicates war, it is careful enough to send t conflicting signals. Yesterday in Jammu Mr Vajpayee did not see any sign of war clouds, but today he talked about a "decisive battle'' and asked his jawans in the forward areas to be "ready for sacrifice.''

A meeting at the Home Ministry today reviewed steps for "rear area security'' and decided that all civil defence measures be activated in the border areas, especially the areas on the western border with Pakistan.

Lines of communication are to be opened, police have to make checks on the Pakistani nationals visiting here and overstaying their visas and anti-sabotage protection of important installations is to be strengthened.

Mr. Advani, who chaired the meeting, emphasised the need for people's participation in civil defence.

The meeting was attended by the Home Secretary, Kamal Pandey, three special secretaries in the Ministry and the Director-General of Civil Defence, besides several other officials. Mr. Advani desired that besides all the States on the western border the enhanced security measures should also be activated in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Western Uttar Pradesh.

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