India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on declared that legal framework will be strengthened in the battle against terrorism and a federal investigation agency will be set up, reported NDTV Monday.
After a five-hour-long discussion at an all-party meeting on the Mumbai terror strikes that left nearly 200 persons dead, the Prime Minister said the country stands united in fighting terrorism and legal framework would be strengthened in this regard.
"We will pursue the setting up of a federal investigating agency within a time-frame," he said in his concluding remarks.
However, parties differed on measures to strengthen the fight against terrorist attack in the discussion.
People light candles during a vigil for terror attack victims in Mumbai, India, Nov. 30, 2008. India's longest terror nightmare that lasted for almost 59 hours ended Saturday. Mumbai disaster authorities put the death toll to 195 and the injured 295. The BJP and AIADMK insisted on stringent laws like POTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) to tackle terrorism. However, Left parties opposed any "draconian" measures like POTA but were open to suggestions for strengthening provisions in the existing laws to combat terror.
The new Home Minister P Chidambaram said the prime minister has already referred to strengthening the legal framework.
After the meeting, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters that political parties unequivocally condemned the dastardly terrorist attack and expressed heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the innocent victims and paid homage to the brave security forces.
Source:Xinhua
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