Author: Reuters
Publication: Indian Express
Date: November 2, 2001
Amritsar, November 2: Bharatiya
Janata Party said on Friday that the global war on terrorism should be
extended to Kashmir. Echoing the government's view, BJP president Jana
Krishnamurthy told a party conclave that the US-led battle against terrorism
was unlikely to succeed if confined to the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan.
"International terrorism has spread
its tentacles to many countries and will wreak its vengeance against America
and other countries from some other operational bases," he said at a conference
attended by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. "The situation has now
come, not to separate terrorist attacks on America from the terrorist attacks
in Jammu and Kashmir or anywhere in India," he said in an opening address.
India is under diplomatic pressure
to contain its tensions with Pakistan over Kashmir so as to not undermine
the campaign against militants in Afghanistan who have been blamed for
the September 11 attacks on the United States.
Security was tight for the BJP meeting
across the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. The streets around the hotel where
the conference was being held were blocked and sharpshooters were perched
on rooftops.
BJP officials said delegates to
the 140-member national executive would be urging the coalition government
for tough measures to put down the militant revolt in Kashmir. "Terrorism
is at the top of the agenda. We're seeking a total elimination of terrorism,"
Krishnamurthy earlier told reporters.
