Adopt tough posture against Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The proposed anti-terror joint mechanism on Sunday came under severe pressure when the BJP asked the government to step back. In a sharp attack on the government, BJP president Rajnath Singh asked the government to stall the peace process.

Mr Singh went to the extent of asking the government to reconsider continuation of diplomatic ties as the Mumbai police discloures suggested that Islamabad was persisting with the “thosuand cuts” policy. “

The Pakistan High Commissioner should be immediately summoned and categorically told that India will reconsider continuation of diplomatic relations with Pakistan,” a statement issued by the BJP president said. He said it was high time the Centre launched a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan and “its terror machine the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)”.

The statement of Mr Singh is indicative of a growing clamour in the BJP for turning on the heat over internal security issues. Mr Singh, who lauded the Mumbai police for unravelling the involvement of Pakistan’s intelligence agency and Lashkar-e-Toiba in the serial blasts that rocked Mumbai city on July 11, said Parliament should debate the ties with Pakistan.

He also reiterated the hot pursuit demand. Referring to terrorist training camps across the border, he said India should destroy these camps. “The Centre should also persuade the UN Security Council to impose economic sanctions on Pakistan and get it listed as a rogue state.”

Attacking the Centre for allegedly not making serious efforts to curb terrorism, Mr Singh said the Mumbai police revelations proved that Pakistan had betrayed the spirit of its January ’04 promise that territories under its control would not be used to promote terrorist activities.

“The UPA government should not ignore evidence given by intellience agencies on sustained anti-India activities of Pakistan and its agency ISI. It plays an active role in smuggling of arms and drugs, funds terrorist activities, creates terror sleeper modules and dumps counterfeit currency in India through Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bangladesh border,” it said.