The Shiv Sena will oppose the ferry service between Mumbai and Karachi that was discontinued after the India-Pakistan war in 1965.
The Shiv Sena decision is in line with party Chief Bal Thackeray’s stand that India should not have any kind of relationship with neighboring Pakistan as the later has always sponsored cross border terrorism.
Party Member of Parliament, Sanjay Raut said: "Will protest on the streets as well in the parliament to stop the move to resume the ferry service."
Sena’s criticism came after Pakistan’s ports and shipping minister Babar Khan Gauri announced that proposal forwarded by India in 2004 to start the ferry service would take of by end of this month.
Raut further took a dig at UPA government for starting ferry service neglecting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad recent allegations which said that infiltration and terrorist activities has gone up in past two years. "It is threat to the financial hub of the country," Raut rued further.
Experience of the past has shown that staring Lahore-Delhi bus and train service has helped terrorist to spread their wings in the country. Starting of ferry service would also result in the same, as the boat service will give direct access to the city.
Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam who had opposed the proposal in year 2004 as Shiv Sena MP pointed that: "There is no harm in starting the ferry service, but government should ensure that terrorism does not enters the country through this route." He further added that, the service would increase burden on our surveillance agency. The strength of Mumbai police should immediately be increased to double of the existing one.
{{/usCountry}}Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam who had opposed the proposal in year 2004 as Shiv Sena MP pointed that: "There is no harm in starting the ferry service, but government should ensure that terrorism does not enters the country through this route." He further added that, the service would increase burden on our surveillance agency. The strength of Mumbai police should immediately be increased to double of the existing one.
{{/usCountry}}Interestingly Sena had issued threat to disrupt cricket matches of the Champions Trophy for allowing Pakistani cricket team to play in India. Sainiks have also been booked for disrupting cricket matches and digging of pitch to stop Pakistan playing match in the country.