More effective steps needed to curb terrorism: BJP

Our Political Bureau

New Delhi, Jan 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked the government to take “more effective” measures to ensure that the capacity of Pakistan-sponsored agencies to encourage terrorist activities is further curtailed.

Party general secretary Sunil Shastri told newsmen on Monday that this in the party’s view could be achieved by “a policy of progressive disengagement with Pakistan and by preventing the ingress of Pakistani citizens into India.” Reacting to the behaviour of Pakistani delegation at the recent Saarc conference at Kathmandu, Mr Shastri said despite the “theatrical handshake,” Pakistan President Parvez Musharaff had given no indication of his intention to curb cross-border terrorism.” “His unashamed reiteration that the violence in Jammu and Kashmir was on account of the so-called freedom struggle is a further confirmation that Pakistan intends to carry on cross-border terrorism,” he said.

The Kathmandu summit had again demonstrated the futility of persisting with South Asian regional cooperation when Pakistan repeatedly played the negative role and prevented implementation of economic and social projects for the development of the entire region, he said.