Separate debate on Assam terror strikes, PM assures RS

PM Manmohan Singh gave an assurance in Rajya Sabha that a debate on terror strikes in Assam would be held separately, as they were as "dastardly" as the Mumbai attacks.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday gave an assurance in Rajya Sabha that a debate on terror strikes in Assam would be held separately, as they were as "dastardly" as the Mumbai attacks.

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Singh had to intervene as a couple of MPs from Assam briefly interrupted the ongoing debate on Mumbai terror attacks in Rajya Sabha.

"Incidents in Assam are as dastardly as the terror attacks in Mumbai, but the debate should not be disrupted ... They can bring Assam separately in a debate," he said.

Soon after Chairman Hamid Ansari announced that the Question Hour has been set aside for a discussion on terror attacks in Mumbai, Assam Gana Parishad members were up on their feet demanding widening of the scope of the debate to include terror strikes in Assam.

Ansari said members were free to raise issues regarding all terror strikes in the country during the debate.

Soon after this, Minister of State for Home Affairs Shriprakash Jaisawal made a suo moto statement on the Mumbai terror attacks.