New Socialist Movement

104, Maharana Pratap Complex, Near VS Hospital, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad 380007, Ph. 079 26577280

Press Release

27^th July 2008, Ahmedabad

NSM was of the opinion that the failure of the Government and its police administration to acquire credible advance information and intelligence input was singularly responsible to prevent the cowardly act of the serial bombing that killed over 50 innocent people at Ahmedabad. It was the duty of the Government to protect the citizens from such violent attacks but this was the third time that the Government completely failed to rise to the occasion. It may be recalled that on 27^th February, 2002 also, the Government had no intelligence input regarding the Godhra incident when 59 innocent people died. Similarly, in the Akshardham incident also, several people died due to the intelligence failure of the Government. Once again, yesterday, the Government had absolutely no clue whatsoever about the large scale planning by the terrorist who killed the innocent people with complete impunity!

NSM therefore demanded a white paper from the Government regarding this repeated failure of the Government to tackle violent attacks on the innocent citizens specially when the Government agencies claimed complete intelligence input into the fake encounter cases. In the cases of the “encounter” deaths of Sohrabuddin, Sadik Jamal, Ishrat Jahan, Tulsi Prajapati etc, the Government claimed to have detailed information regarding the movements of the such “terrorists” who they claimed had entered Gujarat to kill the Chief Minister yet the same agencies had absolutely no intelligence inputs in the case of the real attacks that left hundreds of innocent people dead in Gujarat.

NSM was also of the opinion that the repeated statement of Lalkrishna Advani demanding POTA reflects his complete ignorance on the subject as well as his strategy of tackling the terrorist issue. Firstly, POTA though formally repealed has already been enacted once again and put into the “Prevention of unlawful activities Act”. Secondly, no law can prevent terrorist acts but can only punish the terrorist after the commission of the act. Does Advani want to people to die such that his POTA can be applied?

Lastly, NSM was of the opinion that it would be wrong at this stage, in absence of any information, to blame any group for the 26^th July event. While it is true that the Muslim community has been denied justice for the reprehensible violence perpetrated against them in the 2002 riots, it would totally unfair to link the violence of 26^th July,2008 with the hurt feelings of the past. NSM demand a complete impartial inquiry into the event and revamping of the intelligence system to prevent further violence. NSM also appeals to the people to maintain complete peace and harmony and unitedly face the menace of the violence.

Mukul Sinha

Chairman