NEPF asks Prime Minister to ban VHP and Bajrang Dal

Shillong, Sep 16 (UNI) The North Eastern People's Federation (NEPF) today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to impose a ''total ban'' on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in the wake of recent attacks on minorities in Orissa and Karnataka.

In a statement here, NEPF president Sufiyan A Hazarika said these attacks were no different from those of terrorist attacks. '' The violence carried out by the VHP and Bajrang Dal shows that these are violent terror outfits, '' he added.

Alleging that the VHP and Bajrang Dal were found involved in recent Kanpur blasts and specialised in bomb blasts, the NEPF said, '' The anti-terrorist squad of Maharashtra was able to establish the terrorist activities of the organisations. '' Demanding the Centre's intervention to end violence and to offer protection to the tribal population of Orissa, the NEPF said, '' As long as these organisations are allowed to carry on with their activities, we cannot anticipate peace in the country as they will continue to spread hatred and build communal tension. '' UNI RRK SJC AB RP RK1846