PM discusses security issue with Advani

Manmohan Singh held a meeting with the leader of the Opposition and discussed the internal security in the wake of the terror attacks in Bangalore, Ahmedabad and the Amarnath land transfer row.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday held a meeting with the leader of the Opposition LK Advani in New Delhi and discussed the internal security in the wake of the terror attacks in Bangalore, Ahmedabad and as also the Amarnath land transfer row in Jammu.

HT Image

The prime minister had called the senior BJP leader to discuss the internal security scenario.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil and National Security Advisor MK Narayanan were also present at the meeting. BJP General Secretary Arun Jaitley accompanied Advani.

"The internal security scenario and the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with regard to the Amarnath land row came up for discussion," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told PTI.

It is understood that Advani expressed strong reservations against the "soft attitude" of the government towards terror and its perpetrators.

The explosions in Bangalore and Ahmedabad claimed 51 lives and left more than 200 wounded.

Party sources said Advani reiterated BJP's demand for restoration of the land to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board.

The allocation of the land to the Board was revoked by the then Congress-led government in the state following withdrawal of support by its major ally PDP and widespread violent protests in Kashmir valley.

However, the revocation order sparked violent protests in Jammu where the Sangh Parivar has been spearheading a long-drawn movement to press for restoration of the land to the shrine board.