Gujarat is with Maharashtra in hour of crisis: Modi

Gandhinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today called up Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, offering all possible help and cooperation from his government to combat terrorism.

He said ''Gujarat is with Maharashtra in this hour of crisis''.

Paying homage to the police officers, who died while fighting terrorists, Mr Modi also expressed his grief over the death of innocent citizens in the terrorist attack in south Mumbai since last night.

''On behalf of the people of Gujarat I offer my condolence to the victims of the terror attack,'' Mr Modi said.

He has also offered help of Forensic Science Laboratory and other facilities to Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Modi has urged him to immediately convene a meeting of the chief ministers of all states to devise a comprehensive strategy to counter terrorism and tighten internal security.

Condemning the terrorist attack on Mumbai, Mr Modi emphasised the importance of political will and national pledge to root out terrorism from the Indian soil.

Drawing the Dr Singh's attention towards the fact that the terrorists have for the first time used sea route, Mr Modi urged him to call a meeting to tighten coastal security in which governments of coastal states, navy and coastguards should be invited.

UNI HT PP SV PM1705