Hang Afzal at earliest for national security: Bitta

Bitta, a former Punjab minister, has also reportedly recieved death threats from outside the country in connection with the Afzal case.

A day after the Supreme Court turned down Afzal Guru's plea against his conviction for the attack on Parliament, All-India Anti Terrorist Front chairman MS Bitta urged the government to carry out the death sentence at the earliest in the interest of national security.

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"Delay in the hanging of Afzal may put the nation's security under threat. It has become a routine matter to tighten airports security because of threatening calls received," he told reporters in Amritsar on Saturday.

Bitta, a former Punjab minister, has also reportedly recieved death threats from outside the country in connection with the Afzal case.

He said the central government should implement the apex court order sentencing Afzal to death for his role in the December 13, 2001 attack on Parliament.

Bitta also alleged a "deep-rooted conspiracy" around the reported release of former Akal Takht jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode after 11 kg of RDX was seized from his vehicle recently.

On the coming Assembly polls, the AIATF chief said he was "still a true Congress activist" but ruled out to taking part in the elections.