Strongly condemning the ‘dastardly terror act in Pulwama on February 14’, in which 40 jawans of the CRPF lost their lives, an all party meeting in New Delhi on Saturday said the country stands united in solidarity with security forces in fighting terror and in defending the unity and integrity of India.
The all party meeting, chaired by Union home minister Rajnath Singh at the parliament library building, strongly condemned the forces fometing terror from across the border.
A unanimous resolution passed at the all party meeting said, “we strongly condemn the dastardly terror attack of February 14, 2019 at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which lives of 40 jawans of CRPF were lost. We, along with our countrymen, stand with their families in this hour of grief. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and the support given to it from across the border. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our security forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India,’’ the resolution said.
In a strong condemnation to the acts of terror from across the border, the all party meeting resolution said, “India has, during the last three decades, faced the menace of cross border terrorism. Of late, terrorism in India is being actively encouraged by the forces from across the border. India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges.’’
The meeting was attended by parliamentary affairs minister Narendra Singh Tomar, leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Anand Sharma, Satish Chandra Mishra of the BSP, D Raja of the CPI, Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference, Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav of the RJD and leaders of other opposition parties.
Speaking at the meeting, the home minister said that the sacrifice of the martyrs would not go in vain and that the government would take the war against Pakistan to its logical conclusion. “The country is fighting a decisive battle against Pakistan. We will take this war to its logical conclusion. The sacrifice of the soldiers will not go in vain. We are committed to put an end to terrorism,’’ Singh said.
He said that the government will prove all possible support to families of the martyrs. “We have asked the concerned governments to provide all possible support to the families,’’ he said.
He stressed the need to give a message to the world that the nation was united in its war against terrorism.
“Today we stand united with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and strongly condemn the forces fometing terror from across the border. The entire world should get a message that the nation is united in this war against terrorism,’’ he said.
The home minister expressed confidence that the country will together achieve success in uprooting the menace of terrorism from the Indian soil and peace will be restored in the valley. He thanked the opposition parties who attended the meeting. The meeting started with all leaders observing silence as tribute to martyrs.
Speaking to reports after the meeting, Azad said, “we stand with the government for unity and security of the nation and security forces. Be it Kashmir or any other part of the nation, Congress party gives its full support to the govt in the fight against terrorism.’’
Azad said that the opposition parties requested the home minister that the PM should call a meeting of presidents of all national and regional parties for a meeting.
“We had requested the home minister to request the PM on our behalf to ask presidents of all national and regional parties for a meeting. This was supported by other parties too. The entire nation is in mourning today, is angry,’’ he said.
At the meeting, the government briefed opposition parties about the situation in the valley and it’s future course of action. Sources said that at the meeting, the CRPF DG apprised the members of various parties about the February 14 incident. Ahead of the all party meeting, Singh also held a meeting on Saturday morning with Union home secretary and chiefs of intelligence agencies at his residence and was briefed about the progress in the investigations in last 36 hours.
The government has vowed to give a “befitting reply to those who are responsible for this terror attack”. The all party meet has been called to seek a unanimous view of government’s future course of action.
An explosive laden vehicle was rammed to a CRPF convoy of 78 vehicles carrying more than 2,500 CRPF jawans from Jammu to Srinagar, killing 40 jawans and injuring several others on Thursday afternoon. (UNI)
