Advani responds to Basu salvo

Advani responds to Basu salvo
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

HYDERABAD, SEPT 21: Terming West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's outburst against Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee as ``intemperate and reflective of panic'', Union Home Minister L K Advani today asked the Marxist government to put an end to political violence in the state.

``I am disturbed that the Chief Minister should use such intemperate language directed at my colleague (Mamata Banerjee). This is a manifestation of panic and jitters that Marxist hegemony is being effectively challenged'', he said.

Advani was responding to Basu's strongly-worded letter yesterday asking him to restrain the Trinamool Congress leader from ``inciting violence'' in the state.

Pointng out that Basu did not deny the ``basic facts''about political violence prevailing in some parts of West Bengal, Advani said it was the responsibility of the state government to see that violence comes to an end.

Advani was here to review the passing out parade of the 20th batch of sub-inespctors of the Central Industiral Security Force (CISF) at the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) campus at Hakimpet.

Declining to field any questions on the Centre's move in West Bengal, the Union Minister said ``I had the opportunity to talk to the Prime Minister about the issue last night''.

Referring to the veteran Marxist leader's remark that he need not satisfy Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the steps to maintain law and order, Advani said ``but he should satisfy the people of his state and reassure all democrats in the country that democracy is safe and secure''.

Advani said he had gone through Basu's letter last nightand referred it to home ministry officials for further examination.

The West Bengal Chief Minister had also asked Advani notto be swayed by political considerations and maintain neutrality on the issue of law and order in the state.

Advani however objected to Basu's assertion that violenceby his party cadre was only retaliatory in nature. +I did not expect this kind of reply from the state government. Violence is violence, whether it is retaliatory or otherwise,+ he said.

There were several versions of the ongoing politicalviolence and the state government had given its version, the Union Minister said but added +the point here is that government should see that violence comes to an end+.

Earlier, addressing the CISf personnel, Advani asked theparamilitary forces to maintain high degree of professionalism and preparedness in view of the growing threats from forces inimical to the country's progress.

+The terrorist forces aided and abetted from across theborder are not only targeting our soldiers on the border but also bent upon disrupting our economy,+ he said. The paramilitary forces needed to play a multi-dimensional role in the changing security scenario, Advani said.

Later, Advani visited the technical and computer centresat the NISA campus and also laid foundation stone for a residential complex for sub-officers. He also inaugurated the annual training conference for senior CISF personnel where he called for re-designing training modules to improve +emotional quotient+ of the trainees and inculcate among them a deeper sense of commitment and dedication for the country.