Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: July 22, 2006
Introduction: BIP said if the Mumbai blasts
were a wake-up call for the Centre, the NSA's alleged letter about LeT infiltration
into the IAF should shake the government out of its stupor
National security advisor M K Narayanan's
warning against possible infiltration of the Indian Air Force by Lashkar-e-Taiba
terrorists prompted BJP on Friday to ask the government to change its mindset.
For its part, Congress wanted the authenticity
of Narayanan's letter to the chief ministers and chiefs of armed forces to
be verified first. As TV channels splashed the NSA's letter in the afternoon
a crisis of sorts seemed to have descended on the Capital's power corridors.
Seemingly shaken by the waves of 'breaking news', the PMO refused to comment
on the media report. "We have no views to offer," a senior official
said.
Narayanan himself was not available for comments.
His office did not issue any clarification either. On the other hand, BJP
stepped up its campaign against terror. "We expect the government to
completely change its mindset; this should shake up the establishment,"
BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley said.
He demanded that India's intelligence and
security networks be strengthened along with toning up the legal framework
to cope with the situation in the wake of attacks. "The government should
come out with a detailed statement to reassure the country," he said.
He said if the Mumbai blasts were a wake-up call, the NSA's letter should
shake the government out of its stupor.
Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi questioned
the correctness of what had been reported by the TV channels. "We do
not react to speculative reports; firstly, the authenticity of the letter
has to be verified," he said.
Singhvi said that if the letter was authentic
the party would look into the matter.
