BJP leaders protest Delhi blasts

New Delhi, Sept 17 : Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) conducted a torch rally here last evening against the serial bombings in Delhi.

"Through this torch procession, we pledge that no terrorist with such terror attacks can weaken the confidence of the people of this country. We will fight against terrorism," said Delhi BJP state unit president Harshvardhan.

Earlier, senior BJP leader LK Advani had appealed to the nation to adopt zero tolerance against terrorism with all determination.

"There has to be change in the attitude. And what we call as the best policy against terrorism, in one word would be termed as 'zero tolerance'. We should not tolerate terrorism anymore. Such attitude should be adopted by the administration as well by the common man," Advani said.

BJP, which accuses the Congress-led coalition of following a policy of appeasement, wants the reinstatement of a tough anti-terrorism law it promoted when in power.

On Tuesday, the second Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) led by Veerapa Moily recommended the need for a comprehensive anti-terrorist legislation and establishment of a federal agency to investigate acts of terror in the country.

"There are several types of terrorism, which includes ethno nationalist terrorism, religious terrorism, which is prevalent everywhere, ideology-oriented terrorism, right wing terrorism, state sponsored terrorism and narco-terrorism. There is a need for a comprehensive anti-terrorist legislation to deal with the terrorists," Moily said in the report.

The report deals with how to curb funding of terrorist activities, which includes money raised through buying of properties.

The committee, which redrafted the report on the Administrative Reforms Commission, felt a multi-pronged strategy comprising of political, good governance and socioeconomic development, respect for rule of law, countering the subversive activities of terrorists, providing the appropriate legal framework aspects should be kept in mind while dealing with the terrorist menace.

The report also emphasised the need to define more clearly those criminal acts, which can be construed as being terrorist in nature.

At least 24 persons were killed and over 100 injured in the blasts that took place in New Delhi's prime market places like Karol Bagh's Gaffar market, Connaught Place, Greater Kailash-I's M-Block market and Barakhamba Road in a span of 40-50 minutes on Saturday evening.

ANI