Jaitley calls for using POTA to check terrorism

Abohar, Oct 15: Former Union minister and BJP national general secretary Arun Jaitley today called for effectively implementing POTA for checking terrorism in the country.

'' We will support the government on all steps it takes to counter terrorism'', he declared while addressing the 'Nari Shakti Samelan' organised by the Punjab unit of the BJP Mahila Morcha here.

He said that it was rather unfortunate that the UPA government was playing vote bank politics and ignoring the security concerns of the nation. Ever since the UPA government came to power, the security scenario had become a matter of serious concern, he added.

''Countries are coming up with stringent laws to counter terrorism but in India POTA is not being used effectively'', he added while pointing out that the NDA government had made this Act a law despite opposition from various political parties.

Refering to appeals for mercy for terrorist Mohammed Afzal, the BJP leader said that the contention being put forward for pardoning the terrorist ''was not reasonable'' and he should be meeted out the capital punishment announced by the court. '' Kehar Singh (Indira Gandhi assassination case) was hanged even though he was not present at the scene of the crime'', he pointed out.

Refering to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, the BJP leader claimed that she was interfering in the working of the UPA government. ''Certain decisions taken by the government are later defered at the instance of Mrs Gandhi'', he claimed.

''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a puppet in the hands of the UPA chairperson'', he added.

UNI