Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde failed to impress the Opposition on the measures taken by the Centre to nab the culprits behind the Hyderabad blasts.
After his visit to Hyderabad, the Home Minister told both the Houses of Parliament that the Government was committed to combat terrorism and would make all possible efforts to ensure punishment to the perpetrators and masterminds. He said the National Investigating Agency would assist the Andhra Pradesh Police in probing the incident.
The Opposition said the Home Minister failed to assess the situation despite visiting the spot. The Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said if the Home Ministry had definite intelligence input, and vulnerable cities such as Hyderabad should have been alerted on a possible terror attack.
Without naming anyone, she also asked the Centre to probe if there were any links with a recent controversial statement by an MLA. SP, CPI(M), TDP and JD(U) members also protested Shinde’s statement. Earlier, the Lok Sabha discussed the issue and paid homage to the victims.
The issue created a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha, too. Senior BJP leader, Venkaiah Naidu, said Shinde was callous in his approach to the whole development.
“The Government’s policy seems to be condolence for the dead and compensation for those who survived and that Shinde’s statement does not reflect a roadmap to deal with terror. I appeal to Home Minister please show some courage, take some strong action, you must exhibit resolve,” Naidu said in the House.
Members from the Opposition and the UPA’s supporters criticised the Centre’s attitude towards the issue. They said such incidents were increasing despite the Centre’s efforts to counter terrorism.