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Patil: CMs meet on security soon

NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister will convene within a fortnight a meeting of Chief Ministers to tighten internal security and fight terrorism.

This was stated by Home Minister Shivraj Patil in Parliament on Monday. He ruled out revival of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

Mr. Patil urged the States to strengthen policing and intelligence services to mount a joint attack on terrorism.

Replying to clarifications sought in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the recent serial blasts in Uttar Pradesh, he turned down a BJP suggestion to bring in a new law on the lines of the POTA. He said some of the POTA provisions were included in the Unlawful Activities Act.

Condemning the blasts, Mr. Patil said there was no point in the Central and State governments blaming each other after an incident occurred. There was need for “actionable intelligence” at the State level. The Intelligence Bureau, the Research and Analysis Wing and defence intelligence could give general information but to ascertain when and where an incident would occur actionable intelligence ought to be put in place.

Emphasising that there was no link between acts of terror and any community or religion, Mr. Patil said: “Terrorism is a different religion in itself.”

Several members were, however, dissatisfied with his reply.

Earlier, amid uproarious scenes, the Opposition parties demanded Mr. Patil’s resignation, saying the blasts were a failure of the government.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice with the Opposition demanding copies of the Home Ministry’s statement on the blasts.

Members of the National Democratic Alliance and the Samajwadi Party trooped into the well, alleging that intelligence failure led to the blasts.

In his suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha, the Minister sought the cooperation of political parties, civil society, media and the public at large in the fight against terrorism. Reiterating the government’s resolve to combat terrorism, he said it would not allow anti-national forces to disturb communal harmony.

Initiating an impromptu discussion, Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani said the Uttar Pradesh blasts showed a set pattern of terrorist attacks.

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