Bring POTA back-Ram Madhav

NEW DELHI: The RSS has blamed the terror strike on the Samjhauta Express on “intelligence failure” and said the attack had underscored the need for a tough anti-terror law.

“It is both the failure of intelligence and of the state machinery to tackle terror. We feel it’s high time the government had a rethink over its attitude towards laws like POTA, which should be brought back,” RSS leader Ram Madhav said.

He alleged that the train bombings showed that terrorists were able to strike with ease.

“It proves the fact that we, as a state, are unable to handle the scourge,” Madhav remarked.

In his comments, BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra demanded immediate execution of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal, insisting such a move would send a tough message to terrorists.

Malhotra, who alleged Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had lost moral right to stay in office after the Samjhauta explosions, accused the ruling UPA of failure to deal with terror.

He maintained that the Congress-led government was required to convey to Pakistan that elimination of cross-border terror camps was key to the success of the peace process between the two countries.

“Pakistan should be told that it should honour its commitment that it would not allow its territory to be used for terrorist activities against India if it wants the peace process to be fruitful,” Malhotra said.