Cong terms Mayawati's statement on Int failure as 'tragic'

Lucknow, Nov 28 (UNI) The war of words between the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party heated up today ahead of the Gujarat elections with the former terming the statement of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati blaming the Centre for inflitration as ''tragic''.

UP Congress President Rita Bahuguna Joshi said here that the statement of Ms Mayawati that the Centre was responsible for trans-national infiltration and hence terrorist acts in the state was 'irresponsible and tragic.' ''The Centre had been providing states with effective intelligence inputs on naxals and terrorists,'' she said.

The UP Congress chief reminded the CM that UP shared a porus border with Nepal where no passport or visa was required. ''The SSB, Customs and other agencies are effectively handling traffic at the international border,'' she added.

''Instead of blaming the Centre, she should ensure the safety of the citizens of the state,'' Ms Joshi said.

Even as UP Governor T V Rajeswar claimed that poor state intelligence network was the main reason behind the terrorist acts, Ms Mayawati again held the Centre responsible for infiltration of terrorists from across the Indo-Nepal border.

The Governor had made these remarks at the Annual Police Parade this morning. Ms Mayawati had reacted to the statement in the afternoon.

Ms Mayawati has again written to the Centre for strengthening the security at the international border with Nepal claiming that the November 23 serial blasts in Lucknow, Varanasi and Faizabad were the handiwork of the ultras who had infiltrated from across the international borders.

Addressing a news conference here, she maintained that the Centre was responsible for security at the international borders.

Often terrorists, after infiltrating, mix-up with the local people and even obtain ration cards and other national identity cards.

''...this makes it impossible for the state security agencies to nab the anti-national elements,'' she pointed out.

UNI