04-07-2006, 12:50 AM
UPA <!--emo&:devil--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/devilsmiley.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='devilsmiley.gif' /><!--endemo--> wants to protect terrorists: Modi
Source: IANS.
Rajkot, April 6: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Thursday alleged that the central government only wanted to protect terrorists, adding that he would not allow terrorism any foothold in the state.
"They (United Progressive Alliance government) want to protect terrorists and have made efforts to abolish the POTA (Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act) by different means even though the Supreme Court or the Gujarat High Court have till date not granted bail to any of the accused (in the Godhra train burning tragedy)," Modi said.
He was addressing a public rally here before Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani embarked on a countrywide 'yatra' to protest what he termed as "minorityism" of the central government.
Modi was referring to the 100-odd accused booked under the stringent anti-terror law for allegedly setting a train bogey on fire at Godhra railway station on Feb 27, 2002 - a tragedy that sparked off statewide communal violence.
"But I will not allow terrorists on the land of Gujarat. It is either Modi or the terrorist.
"When the states are so committed (to counter terrorism), how can the central government compromise and put people's lives in danger?"
A railway ministry inquiry by the Justice U.C. Banerjee Committee - later given the status of a commission, this year submitted its report saying the tragedy was an accident and not a pre-planned attack.
Modi termed the report "an effort to protect criminals", and ridiculed the railways saying the ministry was not yet clear if it was a committee or a commission.
Making a reference to the Supreme Court's decision last month to punish Zahira Sheikh, a controversial witness of a case of communal violence, for perjury, Modi said: "Will the Supreme Court take notice of the (railway ministry's) effort to cover the culprits?
"Are those who by changing the law protect terrorists and the one who changes her statement in court not equally guilty?" asked Modi.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, both of the BJP, also addressed the rally.
Source: IANS.
Rajkot, April 6: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Thursday alleged that the central government only wanted to protect terrorists, adding that he would not allow terrorism any foothold in the state.
"They (United Progressive Alliance government) want to protect terrorists and have made efforts to abolish the POTA (Prevention of Terrorist Activities Act) by different means even though the Supreme Court or the Gujarat High Court have till date not granted bail to any of the accused (in the Godhra train burning tragedy)," Modi said.
He was addressing a public rally here before Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani embarked on a countrywide 'yatra' to protest what he termed as "minorityism" of the central government.
Modi was referring to the 100-odd accused booked under the stringent anti-terror law for allegedly setting a train bogey on fire at Godhra railway station on Feb 27, 2002 - a tragedy that sparked off statewide communal violence.
"But I will not allow terrorists on the land of Gujarat. It is either Modi or the terrorist.
"When the states are so committed (to counter terrorism), how can the central government compromise and put people's lives in danger?"
A railway ministry inquiry by the Justice U.C. Banerjee Committee - later given the status of a commission, this year submitted its report saying the tragedy was an accident and not a pre-planned attack.
Modi termed the report "an effort to protect criminals", and ridiculed the railways saying the ministry was not yet clear if it was a committee or a commission.
Making a reference to the Supreme Court's decision last month to punish Zahira Sheikh, a controversial witness of a case of communal violence, for perjury, Modi said: "Will the Supreme Court take notice of the (railway ministry's) effort to cover the culprits?
"Are those who by changing the law protect terrorists and the one who changes her statement in court not equally guilty?" asked Modi.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, both of the BJP, also addressed the rally.