CPI(M) asks UPA govt to explain entry of USS Nimitz

New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) The CPI(M) today asked the UPA government to prevent US warship USS Nimitz, one of the world's largest nuclear-powered multi-mission warships, from sailing into Indian waters.

The Left party also asked the government to explain why it allowed such a ''disastrous'' exercise in the first place.

''We want an explanation from the Manmohan Singh government why permission was granted to USS Nimitz to enter Indian waters on a four-day visit,'' party Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said during a press conference on the party's Central Committee second day of deliberations.

The warship, which is coming from the Persian Gulf with 6000 sailors, is equipped with three sea sparrow missile launchers, four phalanx CWIS mounts and nine 50-cl gun mounts.

The CPI(M) leader said Chennai Port's workforce and the Water Transport Workers Federation of India had also urged the government to prevent the ship from sailing into Indian waters on the plea that ''if any disaster happens to the nuclear ship, the radiation will damage the whole city of Chennai and the neighbouring states.'' The CPI(M) leader asserted that the government must follow the principled stand that no nuclear warship should be allowed to sail into ''our waters''.

''Let us see what explanation the government gives,'' Mr Yechury said, adding that after that the party would decide on the future course of action.

The warship would touch Indian shores at Chennai Port on July 1.

UNI