The Hindu : Advani sees bid to disrupt peace process

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2003

Front Page

Front Page

Advani sees bid to disrupt peace process

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 22. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, today told Parliament that the terrorist strike against pilgrims to the Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir was an attempt to "disrupt the normalcy in the State and the peace process.'' Replying to an impromptu discussion in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Advani said that small incidents must not be allowed to derail the nation from the path of peace and reconciliation.

Significantly, the Deputy Prime Minister supported the State Government saying that it was as committed as was the Centre in combating terrorism. He made it clear that the two Governments were working in tandem. "The two Governments are working closely together on security and development issues,'' Mr. Advani told the House.

Mr. Advani said there was a definite change in the mood in the State and every effort must be made to emphasise the change. He called on all political parties both inside and outside the State to be careful about not doing anything that would dilute the mood.

Describing the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections as a "turning point,'' he said the change in the atmospherics had been hastened by the subsequent visits of the President, Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. "Each of these developments has had a very positive impact. This must be carried forward as it will help in the battle against terrorism,'' he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister promised the House that there would be no let up in the fight against terrorism and described the attack on the pilgrims as part of the "continuing proxy war'' against the country. He also defended the security forcers, saying there was no slackness on their part.

Earlier in the debate, most members rose above party partisan lines to condemn the attack on the pilgrims and at the Army base in Akhnoor. The gravity of the attack and its implications had a sobering effect on all sections in the House. Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Cong.), Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M), Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP), Banatwalla, Rashid Alvi (BSP) and Yerran Naidu (TDP) dwelt on the fact that the terrorists had struck out of frustration.

However, the State Government came in for criticism from V.K. Malhotra (BJP), Omar Abdulllah (NC) and Chandrakant Khaire (Shiv Sena). Mr. Abdullah blamed both the Central and State Governments for their complacency and said the present mood in the State was deceptive.

The House later adopted a resolution condemning the attack.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

Stories in this Section

Brigadier killed, 4 officers injured in `fidayeen' attack on Army camp

Discussion on CBI in Rajya Sabha today

Advani sees bid to disrupt peace process

Saddam's sons killed

Eiffel Tower catches fire

Special Adviser to U.N. chief

Twins separated

Jaguar crashes

Debate on Taj heritage project

2 killed in derailment