Peace initiatives with Pak should continue: Congress

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) The Congress today said the ongoing peace initiative with Pakistan should continue notwithstanding the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Srinagar.

''The peace process must go on,'' AICC Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told mediapersons when her attention was drawn to demands that India should sever all ties with Pakistan in the light of yesterday's terrorist attacks.

Dismissing calls for Home Minister Shivraj Patil's resignation, she said, ''We do not accept the contention that Mr Patil has failed.'' The issue of the resignation of the Home Minister is secondary to the primary concern that such incidents should not happen in the future, Ms Natarajan added.

She stated that the terror attacks were not the result of any negligence or lapse on the part of the governent. ''Such attacks had taken place in the past also. However, it is important to keep up the fight against divisive forces. This government is doing that.'' Ms Natarajan said the Manmohan Singh government had been carrying out its moral and political rsponsibilities to the best of its ability. ''The Union Government is fully aware of the situation and taking immediate steps to apprehend those responsible for the Mumbai and Srinagar blasts.'' While extending condolences to be bereaved families, the Congress spokesperson said the party condemned the ''dastardly, shameful and cowardly terrorist attacks on innocent citizens''.

''These inhuman attacks upon innocent and unsuspecting citizens are an attempt to strike fear and confusion and spread terror in the country,'' she said, adding that the people of India would never succumb to the machinations of terrorists.

''India will never allow evil designs to succeed. We will not rest until terrorism is rooted out from our side. The People of the country will stand firm against all challenges to peace and security whether such challenges are internal or external.'' Ms Natarajan said Indian would close ranks and collectively isolate divisive and terror elements from the society.

She said Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who visited Mumbai last night, had spoken to the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir asked them to take all steps to strengthen security and give succour to the victims. She also asked them to bring the guilty to book as early as possible.

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