Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has advised the Centre to adopt “zero tolerance” towards terror activities and take strong measures to curb such attacks.
Commenting on Wednesday’s serial bomb blasts in Pune, Mr. Modi targeted the Congress-led UPA government, hinting that he did not feel the Centre had the political will to curb terror attacks.
He said the Pune blasts on the eve of ‘ Raksha Bandhan ’ celebrations and the day the new Home Minister took charge at the Centre were not without significance. It only indicated that the terror groups were still active in India and these groups could strike anywhere in India at will, he said.
“The issue is not where the blast occurred, the intensity of the blasts or the casualties. It is an issue of concern. These elements are giving a message that their power should not be undermined or ignored. There is need to remain vigilant and give it a more serious thought,” he said.
Mr. Modi said the people expect the government to take stern steps not only to curb such activities but should also make the terror groups feel its presence and fear for it.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international president Pravin Togadia, however, attacked both the Centre and the Modi government for failure to curb terror strikes. Talking to media persons in Bhavnagar while on his way to Palitana to attend a “Trishul distribution programme,” Dr. Togadia said India had, unfortunately, never seriously bothered to detect the local support networks that helped the terrorist groups, from across the border, to strike terror in various parts of the country. Citing the attack on the Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, the Mumbai attacks and several such incidents, Dr. Togadia said everyone realised that such attacks could not be possible without the help of the local networks. “While the attackers had been killed, little effort had been made to detect the local networks and the result is such periodic bomb blasts like Pune,” he said.
Gujarat was put on high alert following the Pune blasts and the acting Director- General of Police Chittaranjan Singh said the alert would remain in force till Independence Day, after which the situation would be reviewed.
He said the Quick Response Teams (QRS) and Special Operation Groups (SOG) had been asked to stay at “stand to” mode till further orders to be able to move quickly in case of any exigency. Vigil had also been intensified at sensitive points as well as crowded public places and religious centres, he said.
