Govt to make a statement on Kathua terror attack

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that it would not be appropriate to make a statement while the encounter was on

Home Minister Rajnath Singh will make a statement in Rajya Sabha on militants storming a police station in Kathua district of J&K after the encounter is over.

Raising the issue when the House met for the day, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad (Cong) quoted reports to say that two policemen and other security personnel as well as some civilians have been injured in the terrorist attack.

He wanted the Home Minister to inform the House of the situation after the militants are flushed out.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said he had discussed the issue with the Home Minister who felt it would not be appropriate to make a statement while the encounter was on.

Home Minister, Naidu said, would make a statement after the issue is over.

Earlier Satish Chander Mishra (BSP) raised the issue of lawyers in Uttar Pradesh protesting the killing of one of their colleagues in Allahabad.

Stating that lawyers protesting against the incident in Lucknow were lathicharged by police, he said the Centre should intervene on the issue.

Parties from Tamil Nadu also wanted clarifications on the statement made by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sri Lanka.

Naidu said the minister was present till late evening yesterday but could not make a statement as the House was busy with legislative business.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he had been informed that Swaraj was out of station today. "She was ready to come and give clarification (yesterday). No point blaming the Minister when we decided to adjourn yesterday," he said.