Advani paints grim picture of internal security scenario

Dehradun, Sep 8 (UNI) On a day when the textile town of Malegaon in Maharashtra was rocked by explosions killing at least 30 people, senior BJP leader L K Advani painted a grim picture of the internal security scenario with terrorism, naxalism and secessionist forces stepping up their activities in recent months.

Addressing the BJP National Executive on the second day of the meeting, Mr Advani differed with Home Minister Shivraj Patil's stance that Naxalism was a state issue and said his statement should be viewed in the light of Congress' alignment with the naxal forces in the last elections to form the government in Andhra Pradesh. ''It is a sin against democracy and a sin against nation,'' he said adding that naxalism should be dealt at federal level and not left to the states.

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UNI KAS/MCN RP HT2000