J&K asked to ban three outfits

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. The Centre has written to the Jammu and Kashmir Government requesting it to ban terrorist organisations like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizb-ul- Mujahideen.

During the course of a press conference here this evening, the Union Home Secretary, Mr. Kamal Pande, said that a ban by the Centre on the three outfits was not under consideration for two reasons. First, the militant groups had declared an ``open war'' against India and they were being tackled by the security forces, and secondly, they were operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Asked why then the Government was pressing the U.S. to ban these terrorist organisations, Mr. Pande said, ``a ban by America will choke supply of outside funds.'' Since Lashkar, Hizb and Jaish-e- Mohammad were already at war with India and received support from outside, a ban by the Centre would not serve any purpose.

On whether the State Government had replied to the Home Ministry's request recently for a ban on the three outfits, Mr. Pande said the Ministry was yet to hear anything on it.To a question whether any State Government had sought a ban on the Bajrang Dal, Mr. Pande replied in the negative. ``There could be information with us on the activities of the Bajrang Dal but there is no opinion about it,'' he said.

The Home Secretary said the Centre proposed to bring in a comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation, particularly after the lapse of the TADA. Chief Ministers, State police chiefs and Chief Secretaries had been consulted on the proposed legislation last year and yet another meeting of the DGPs and Chief Secretaries would be held on October 5 where the draft legislation would be discussed.

The Law Commission had held wide- ranging discussions on the proposed legislation with several groups as well as the National Human Rights Commission, he added.Meanwhile, a high-level internal meeting was held in the Home Ministry, presided over by the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, which reviewed the internal security against the backdrop of the recent developments.Mr. Advani stressed the need to tackle terrorism effectively and in a co-ordinated manner. Various measures taken by the Government to protect vital installations, airport security and VIP security were also reviewed at the meeting which was attended by the heads of the Central police organisations and intelligence agency officials.

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