Congress demands decisive action against terrorism

The Congress on Tuesday described the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims as "inhuman and barbaric" and slammed the Modi government for its failure to provide security. It sought "decisive action" against those involved.

Seven pilgrims were killed and 19 others injured on Monday in Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir when militants fired at a bus carrying over 60 pilgrims in Khanabal area on the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

"It's time for the government to wake up and act beyond words and meetings and take decisive action against terrorism," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters here.

Surjewala said the terrorists attacked the very composite culture of Kashmir.

"Nation is stunned and deeply saddened by the dastardly terrorist attack on Amarnath pilgrims. What is the current government doing is a mute question?

"Congress demands safety for all pilgrims taking the holy yatra. What steps are the government taking in this regard (terrorist attack) must be stated by the government -- the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Home Minister (Rajnath Singh).

"Will Prime Minister make a statement and assure the nation as to what decisive steps will the government take to ensure the national security is in safe hands and that it will be protected at all costs?" Surjewala asked.

The Congress leader alleged that the terror attack was a serious security lapse on the part of the government and security forces.

"If there were intelligence inputs on June 25 that the Amarnath Yatra would be attacked, then why no preventive measures were taken? What preventive measures were taken that failed?" he asked.

"Are we again going to brush such an important issue in the garb of meetings and enquiries or are we going to take decisive action to punish the guilty who have dared to attack the most holy of the yatras in the country?" he asked.

--IANS

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