BJP, VHP calls for state-wide shutdown

Hyderabad, Aug 27: The Bharatiya Janata Party"s (BJP) Andhra Pradesh unit and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for a state-wide shutdown to protest against the government's 'soft stand' in handling of terrorism in the wake of twin blasts in the city.

Senior leader of the party L K Advani said that the only way to tackle terrorism was to reintroduce the Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA). He said that the UPA Government had made a mistake while withdrawing POTA.

Coming heavily on the UPA Government, party president Rajnath Singh accused it of showing laxity in dealing with terrorism.

"The Congress-led UPA Government has made a mockery of the country when it comes to dealing with terrorism. India is probably the only country in the world where there are no strict laws to deal with terrorism. All other countries facing terrorist threat have stringent anti-terror laws," Singh said.

Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that it would be inappropriate to discuss things 'openly' since the investigations are in early stages.

Patil's refusal to speculate on names of terror outfit follows 2006, July 11 Mumbai serial trains blasts when the Government blamed Pakistan but had a tough time discussing it in the diplomatic arena.

However, in contrast to Patil's assertion of not pointing fingers to other countries Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy had said that terrorist organisations operating from Bangladesh and Pakistan were suspected to be behind the Hyderabad twin blasts.

Saturday's explosions, which claimed 42 lives and injured about 100 others, came three months after 16 people were killed in a bombing at the Mecca Masjid in the city.

ANI
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