M A I N   N E W S

Taliban shift bases to Pak: Advani
Opposes general release of J&K detainees
Tribune News Service and agencies

New Delhi, December 28
Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today said that Taliban cadres had shifted base from Afghanistan to Pakistan and warned the international community to take note of the development before it cost “dearly to the world”.

Mr Advani said the terrorist outfits which were banned in Pakistan had reactivated under new names in that very country and lamented that the international pressure on Pakistan had failed.

Speaking at the 63rd anniversary of the CRPF Raising Day here, Mr Advani said he had concrete information that terrorist camps which were moved away from the international border by Pakistan had resurfaced. In this context, he mentioned that his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir where he had been briefed by senior army and police officials.

Talking about Jammu and Kashmir, the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the function that there should not be general release of any detainees and added that the state government had formed a committee to review such cases. The committee comprised the J and K Chief Secretary, the Director-General of Police, Additional Director-General, CID and Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, who would be the Centre’s nominee.

Mr Advani said the state government had earlier released some persons in the absence of such a review committee and this had led to an adverse reaction in the country.

Mr Advani, who had yesterday chaired a meeting of the Unified Command in Jammu, said Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, analysing the election results, maintained that his government had been mandated by people on three counts - peace, good governance and economic and social justice.

Observing that issues of governance and economic and social justice would have to be looked after by the state government, the Deputy Prime Minister said the Centre and the J-K authorities would have to work together on how to usher in peace.

“When the issue is related to security and bringing in peace, the state government should make it a point to seek opinion of the Central Government and security agencies working there before releasing anyone,” he said.

On the J and K government’s demand that the paramilitary forces sent at the time of elections should continue to remain in the state, Mr Advani said: “There are a lot of difficulties on that score.”

“The forces were moved from some areas where we promised them that they would return once the poll was over,” he said and added “let us see what happens.”

He said: “We will continue to fight our own battle but the world community should draw a lesson from the September 11 attack and realise that terrorism knows no boundaries.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also announced a grant of Rs 2 crore from the Ministry of Home Affairs for the CRPF’s Welfare Fund.