NEW DELHI : Concerns were flagged in the Rajya Sabha today on the issue of national security after registration of cases against officers of Intelligence Bureau and their harassment and some parties coming to the aid of terrorists held by intelligence agencies.
Raising the demand during the Zero Hour, M Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) said “we have seen how officers of IB are being harassed and, in some cases, how some of them have even been made accused. If that is the case, I am not able to understand as to who will take care of national interests and national security.”
He said officers of IB and RAW have taken pains to wage a war against terrorism and if they are being booked and harrassed, the nation’s security will be at risk.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said the Government was committed to deal with terrorism with an iron hand and root it out. He said he will bring the issue to the notice of Home Minister.
Naidu said people who are fighting terrorists and enemies on the border, people who are tackling terrorism through various agencies, should be given freedom.
“I do agree that they should be made accountable. At the same time, they should not be harassed,” he said.
Naidu also voiced concern over stepped-up activities of terrorists across the country “who are determined and who are also encouraged by our neighbours to create disturbance in our country and cripple our economy and, thereby, subvert India and create internal disturbances”.
The BJP member said the recent arrest of Abdul Karim Tunda and Yasin Bhatkal and their interrogation resulted in revelations that they were responsible for many terrorist activities across the country.
“There are also some people in the country who are making a hue and cry about it. Whenever a terrorist is arrested, some people rush to their rescue and, sometimes, try to give communal colour as well. A terrorist has no religion. He is an anti-national and must be dealt with firmly”, Naidu said.
He lamented that some political parties are saying that Government must provide legal assistance to people arrested in terrorist cases and expressed concern that some parties should come to the rescue of terrorists.
“We should not play vote-bank politics as far as national interests are concerned. It is against the spirit of the Constitution and against national interests,” he said.
Calling for a national resolve to deal with terrorism with a stern hand, Naidu said “otherwise we have to pay a heavy price as Pakistan was waging a war against India”.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to take up this issue with the Government of Pakistan and failed to impress upon the international community,” he said urging the Government to take up the issue strongly and ensure that such activities are nipped in the bud. (AGENCIES)
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