India determined to root out terrorism: Rajnath Singh

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of floor leaders of political parties in both the houses of parliament, here today in the wake of Thursday’s Pulwama attack. The Union Home Minister briefed them about his visit to Srinagar yesterday and said that the morale of the Security Forces is high and they expressed resolve to continue the fight against terrorism till its logical conclusion. He said the Government has given a freehand to the Security Forces to deal with terrorists and their perpetrators. The Government has followed a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism from the beginning. The 14^th February cowardly attack reflects this very desperation among terrorists.

Shri Rajnath Singh said a vast majority of people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace loving but there are certain elements in the state who are in league with the terrorist groups operating from across the border.

The Union Home Minister said the sacrifices made by our Security Forces will not go in vain and the country is united in its fight against terrorism. The government is determined to root out terrorism from our soil, he added. Shri Rajnath Singh said this meeting has sent a message to the global community that the country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, speaks in one voice on matters of national interest.

Shri Rajnath Singh said the Centre will provide all possible assistance to the families of martyrs. “We appeal to the states also to provide maximum possible assistance to them,” he said.

The floor leaders of all political leaders also spoke and extended their support to the government. Later, they unanimously adopted a resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows:

“We strongly condemn the dastardly terror act of 14^thFebruary 2019 at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir in which lives of 40 brave jawans of CRPF were lost. We, along with all our countrymen, stand with their families in this hour of grief.

We condemn terrorism in all forms and the support being given to it from across the border.

India has during the past three decades faced the menace of cross border terrorism. Of late, terrorism in India is being actively encouraged by the forces across the border. India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges. The entire nation speaks in one voice to express its determination to fight these challenges. Today, we stand united in solidarity with our Security Forces in fighting terrorism and in defending the unity and integrity of India.”

Floor leaders of Congress, AIADMK, NCP, TDP, SP, AITC, AAP, BSP, BJD, LJP, RLSP, INLD, CPI (M), CPI, RJD, SAD, IUML, RPI (A), JKNC, NPF and TRS, attended the meeting. The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar was also present.

"The Nation is expressing its deep anguish against the cowardly terrorist attack on our security forces in Pulwama. We are fully geared to fight a decisive battle against the scourge of terrorism against our country and our government is committed to take this fight to its logical conclusion", said Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Mines, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar while addressing the media here today. This address took place after the conclusion of the Meeting of floor leaders of various political parties in Parliament, on Pulwama terror attack, chaired by the Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Rajnath Singh. 
 
Condemning the dastardly attack, Shri Tomar said that, "the supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers shall not go in vain. The Government has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the forces promoting terrorism against India”. Government of India, from the very beginning, has followed a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and this cowardly terrorist attack displays a sense of frustration in the terrorists due to this policy only, the Minister added.

The Government is standing strong with the bereaved family members of these Jawans and will not leave any stone unturned to help them. The Union Government has already requested all the State Governments to provide requisite aid to these families, the Minister informed. 
 
Acknowledging the support of all political parties in the fight against terrorism, Shri Tomar said that the Nation stands united with the peace-loving people of Kashmir in condemning the forces encouraging cross border terrorism against India. The Minister said that there are elements in the State of Jammu Kashmir who are determined to unsettle the peace and are hand-in-glove with the terrorist forces. Such people are enemies to the Kashmiri Youth and they do not want that peace sustains in the State. Shri Tomar quoted the Home Minister and said that the Government is committed to eliminate the evil of terrorism from Jammu & Kashmir and return peace and tranquility to the State. 
 
Shri Tomar also said that during the meeting all the political parties have, in one voice, condemned the terror attack and observed a two minute silence for the martyred soldiers.  A resolution condemning this act of terrorism was also adopted during the meeting, the Minister informed.