Parties put up united face to fight terror

| | New Delhi
  • 0

Parties put up united face to fight terror

Sunday, 17 February 2019 | PNS | New Delhi

Parties put up united face to fight terror

All political parties on Saturday spoke in one voice and backed the Government in its efforts to fight terrorism following Thursday’s deadly attack at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy at Pulwama in Kashmir and expressed their solidarity with the security forces.

The resolution adopted at the all-party meeting  here, however, did not name Pakistan but asserted that India has been facing the menace of the cross-border terrorism which of late, it added, is being actively encouraged by forces from the neighbouring country.

The meeting called by the Government was chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh who briefed political parties on his visit to Kashmir on Friday in the aftermath of the suicide bomber attack that killed at least 40 CRPF personnel.

At the meeting, political parties put up a united face as they underlined India’s determination to fight terrorism and resolved to stand in solidarity with the security forces, defending the country’s unity and integrity.

The resolution adopted at about two-hour meeting said, “India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges.”

The resolution condemned the terror attack and the support being given to it from across the border. Senior leaders of the Opposition extended support to the Government in tackling the challenge.

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad asked the Home Minister to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene a meeting of the presidents of all major national and regional parties, a view supported by Derek O’Brien of the Trinamool Congress and D Raja of the CPI.

The resolution passed after deliberations said, “India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. “Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India.”

The draft resolution shared by the Government spoke of parties standing with security forces and “efforts of the central and State Governments” but the mention of Central and State Governments was dropped from its final copy at the suggestion of Opposition parties. 

 Sanjay Raut, a member of BJP ally Shiv Sena, sought the government to draw inspiration from former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and hit Pakistan directly.

He told reporters that an incident like Pulwama terror attack would not have happened if surgical strikes, which the Army had carried out across the Line of Control in 2016, had made an impact.  Sena had earlier also called for a joint session of parliament to discuss the issue.

 In his opening remarks, Rajnath briefed the leaders about the attack and his visit to the state on Friday.  “The government is determined to take its fight against terrorism to the logical conclusion. The sacrifices of security personnel will not go in vain. The people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace and are with us, but there are some elements supporting the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist groups,” he said.  The morale of security forces is high and they have been given a free hand, he asserted.

The meeting was also attended by Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress, Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), Jithendra Reddy(TRS), Farooq Abdullah(National Conference) and Ram Vilas Paswan( LJP) among others.  Naresh Gujral(Akali Dal), Sanjay Singh( Aam Aadmi Party), Upendra Kushwaha(RLSP) and Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav(RJD) were among others who attended the meeting.

 Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar told reporters that parties extended their support to the government, as he read out from the resolution.  Sanjay Singh said political parties told the government that they will support any action it takes following the terror attack in Pulwama.

 The issue of alleged harassment of some Kashmiri students outside the Valley was raised by National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah.   The home minister assured him that nobody will be allowed to vitiate communal harmony, and the central government is issuing an advisory in this regard to state governments.

In one of the most  dastardly attacks targeting the security forces since Independence, a car bomb strayed on the way of a CRPF convoy killing  at least 40 and injuring many  other ‘Jawans’ at Pulwama in Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. 

Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the blast which invited all round condemnation from across the country and internationally including that of China.  Resolving to give a response to the attack at the time and place of its choice, India has hastened its diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan in the international community.  India has already removed the Most favoured Nation status to Pakistan following the terror strike.

 

 

Sunday Edition

CAA PASSPORT TO FREEDOM

24 March 2024 | Kumar Chellappan | Agenda

CHENNAI EXPRESS IN GURUGRAM

24 March 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

The Way of Bengal

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

The Pizza Philosopher

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

Astroturf | Lord Shiva calls for all-inclusiveness

24 March 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

Interconnected narrative l Forest conservation l Agriculture l Food security

24 March 2024 | BKP Sinha/ Arvind K jha | Agenda