Govt dismissive about Nasreen's complaints

Government on Friday appeared dimissive about the complaints of controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen regarding restrictions on her movement even as she said she has not been asked to leave India.

Government on Friday appeared dimissive about the complaints of controversial Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen regarding restrictions on her movement even as she said she has not been asked to leave India.

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"I have clearly spelt out the policy of government of India in respect of those who come for taking shelter," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here when asked to comment on Nasreen's grievance.

"If she has any difficulties she should talk to those people who are dealing with the issue and they will remove these difficulties," Mukherjee said a day after Nasreen complained that she had been barred from meeting anybody or coming out in public besides being told not to return to West Bengal.

Nasreen, who was shunted out of West Bengal about a month ago in the face of threats from islamic radicals, has been kept at an undisclosed destination by the Centre amid demands that she be asked to leave the country.

Amid raging controversy over the treatment meted out to her, Mukherjee told Parliament last month that Nasreen would continue to get shelter here but she should refrain from any activity that may hurt sentiments of the people of the country.

The writer, who is under attack from fanatics for her book Lajja, today said the government had not asked her to leave the country and that the restrictions on her movement were because of "security reasons".

"I hope I will get shelter within the country. May be I will able to lead a normal life wherever it is, in Kolkota or in Delhi," she told 'Manorama News'.