Advani says PM's 100-day roadmap to fight terror distressing

Indore, Nov.24 : Addressing a press conference here on Monday, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L K Advani described Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal for a task force to counter terrorism within a deadline of 100 days as "distressing" and demanded that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) be revived instead.

"Manmohan Singh took over as prime minister in May 2004 and after so many days, he is talking about a 100-day roadmap," Advani said.

"This announcement of the prime minister is nothing but an acceptance of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government's failure to tackle terrorism," he added.

On Sunday, Dr. Singh had recommended the setting up of a task force under National Security Adviser MK Narayanan to address "Left Wing extremism, terrorism and insurgency".

He made the suggestion during an address to the director generals of police (DGPs) and inspector generals of police (IGPs) at their annual conference in New Delhi,

The task force under Narayanan, with suitable representation from central and state agencies, should draw a roadmap within 100 days to develop an integrated capability to address emerging challenges of Leftwing extremism, terrorism and insurgency, Dr. Singh had said.

According to home ministry figures, the country has witnessed 64 bomb blasts in less than six months this year, which have left over 215 dead and over 900 injured.

ANI