Sunday, Feb 09, 2003
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By Our Special Correspondent
The Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, with the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, and the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, K.C. Pant, at the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Saturday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt
For India "the most disconcerting aspect of terrorism is that it is sponsored, supported and funded by Pakistan as a matter of its state policy.'' Pakistan's assurances on cross-border terrorism, he said, "remain unfulfilled.'' It had taken "no significant action against training camps and infrastructural support to terrorism.'' The Pakistani establishment "does not appear to be interested in establishing tension-free and good-neighbourly relations with India by ending its proxy war against our country,'' Mr. Vajpayee said. Highlighting the need to maintain peace and communal harmony, he said it would frustrate "those who wish to harm our national unity and integrity.'' In a clear reference to the Ayodhya dispute, Mr. Vajpayee said that while dialogue and negotiations were the optimal way to resolve disputes, when they could not be so resolved "the verdict of the judiciary has to be accepted by all concerned.'' There was no issue, which could justify confrontation or communal violence. Mr. Vajpayee also suggested that the problem of Left-wing extremism, which affects nine States, be dealt through well-coordinated operations and, "if necessary,'' under a unified command. He also asked the States to reconsider the proposal for a Central law enforcement agency to deal with certain "federal crimes.'' A majority of States maintained their opposition to the proposal. The Chief Ministers' conference follows a meeting of the State Chief Secretaries and Director-Generals of Police where the agenda for today's meeting was set. At a press conference at the end of the day's proceedings, the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, re-emphasised the concern over external threat to internal security. Asked whether in his perception the threat to internal security had gone up since the last Chief Ministers' conference, and if there was data to suggest this, he said, "no, it has not.'' On issues of communalism and their impact on the internal security environment, Mr. Advani said, "this does not arise when we are discussing national security,'' and added "but the subject was discussed.'' The issue of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants had been discussed at the conference and the Chief Ministers whole-heartedly endorsed the Centre's policy. Many Bangladeshi illegal immigrants had been sent back in 2002, he said but declined to give the number. Asked whether there was a time-frame for the Government's "seek out and evict" policy, he said there was none. And on whether the Government was considering a formal immigration policy, Mr. Advani said the recent decisions were a "step in that direction.'' On the matter of transfers and postings of upstanding police officers, raised by several States, Mr. Advani said all the issues relating to police service conditions, including those being dealt with by the National Police Commission and the Group of Ministers, would be taken up at a later meeting.
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