Search the Internet          Tips

Underworld elements planning retaliatory attacks: Advani

"There are reliable reports (including intercepts) that speak of underworld elements being in touch with their mentors in Pakistan regarding retaliatory action in Gujarat and even in parts of Maharashtra," Advani told a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry.

"Pakistan-based leaders of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba and members of the gangs of Dawood Ibrahim and the late Abdul Latif are, in particular, involved in such conspiracies," he said.

These elements were seeking arms, ammunition and explosives for undertaking acts of violence, he added.

The Union home minister said that the decision to appoint K P S Gill as security adviser to Chief Minister Narendra Modi was taken by the Gujarat government in consultation with the Centre.

Cutting across party lines, MPs voiced concern on the continuing violence in Gujarat and the plight of the riot-victims in the makeshift camps in this gruelling summer heat, an official release said.

Advani clarified that the Gujarat government has not taken any decision to close down relief camps for the riot victims and asserted that it would do everything necessary to restore normalcy in the state.

Even if there had been no resolution in the Rajya Sabha on the Gujarat issue, Article 355 of the Constitution casts upon the central government a Constitutional obligation to protect a state in times of internal strife or external threat, he told the MPs.

"The Rajya Sabha resolution has only made the Centre more conscious about this obligation," he said.

Advani also cited a May three Gujarat High Court order regarding continuation of the camps.

He pointed out that the Gujarat High Court had 'appreciated' the steps taken by the state government in managing the camps.

The state has appointed S M Bukhari, a retired IAS officer, as chief coordinator for relief and rehabilitation and also increased cash assistance from Rs five per person per day to Rs seven, he said.

Some members wanted the Centre to monitor the relief announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, including the Rs 1.5 billion (Rs 150-crore) package for the victims.

Advani assured the members that the Union Cabinet Secretary was monitoring the situation with regard to relief and rehabilitation of riot victims.

Among those who attended the meeting were Madan Lal Khurana and Anadi Charan Sahu (BJP), Arjun Singh and Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress), Somnath Chatterjee (CPI-M), Ali Mohammad Naik (National Conference), Ram Gopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Viduthalia Virumbi (DMK).

Ministers of State for Home C Vidyasagar Rao and I D Swami were also present on the occasion.

PTI

The Sabarmati in Flames: Complete Coverage

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report