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Godhra mayhem premeditated: Advani

Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Sunday said that the Godhra mayhem, which claimed 58 lives and precipitated state-wide violence, was a 'pre-meditated attack' and described the arson that followed as 'nothing, but communal violence'.

Advani was addressing a crowded press conference in Ahmedabad after touring the state.

"It seems to be premeditated. The train stopped on the station for five minutes only. A needle of suspicion points towards certain elements," he said.

Asked about involvement of elements from outside Godhra in the incident, he said, "There were elements from outside, besides the local people. Those responsible for the Godhra tragedy will be traced."

In an apparent slip, Advani said the magnitude of violence on the innocents taking place in Gujarat was 'terrorism' before retracting to label it as 'communal violence'.

"Here innocents have been killed. Like we ask them (Pakistan), does killing innocents in Jammu and Kashmir mean freedom struggle for them? Many innocents have been killed here (Gujarat), which is very unfortunate and this is what is terrorism," Advani said.

But when asked to clarify whether what happened in Gujarat is an act of terrorism, he said, "No, it was a communal violence. When people kill innocents only to create terror then it is terrorism."

When asked about an inquiry into the incidents, he said that the Godhra tragedy and the subsequent violence were different matters.

To a question, Advani said, "We will not allow any kind of communal tension."

He added that the mob attack at Godhra and subsequent violence has blotted his party's four-year record of having provided a 'communal tension-free' government.

"The violence that has followed the incident in Godhra has spoiled the clean record of the NDA government," he said.

He asserted that the culprits involved in the crime would be traced and the government would give top-most priority to restore communal harmony.

"This is the fifth day of violence and I emphasise on improving security, but at the time we are able to restore harmony," he said.

"The state is responsible for protection of every citizen and community," he said, adding that the authorities ought to ensure that such communal incidents do not take place. When asked about the role of police, the home minister said, "Seventy-seven persons have died in police firing. How can I understand that police lacked in its role?"

When his attention was drawn to the killing of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, he described the incident as 'unfortunate'.

He also criticised the Congress's demand to put army in charge of Gujarat.

He said, "It's the administration's duty to give security to the people and the army's (duty) to guard the border. But when such incidents happen, not only does it create insecurity the minds of the people, but also makes our borders unsafe. How can we give charge to the army? The army's role is to help the government handle an extraordinary situation... and I agree that the army has helped restore peace in Gujarat."

PTI

With inputs from Sheela Bhatt in Ahmedabad

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