Govt observes anti-terrorism day

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

New Delhi, May 21: Even as the Centre is facing criticism for erring investigation of the Jaipur serial blasts and no major breakthrough being achieved in the case, the Union home ministry on Wednesday observed the Anti-Terrorism Day, highlighting the dangers of terrorism and violence. The call to fight terrorism by the MHA has come at a time when the investigation into the Jaipur serial blasts has gone awry with fresh inputs from the National Security Guards (NSG) contradicting earlier claims made by the MHA that RDX had been used to carry out the eight blasts that rocked the Pink City.

Special secretary (internal security) M.L. Kumawat, who returned to the Capital last week after camping in Jaipur, did not rule out the possibility that a cocktail of RDX and ammonium nitrate being used to carry out the blasts. This theory has been busted by the NSG as well as the report of the forensic laboratory of Rajasthan which has completely ruled out the presence of RDX in the blasts.

With the probe into the blasts still on, the present danger is of the complete investigation of the blasts going into abeyance.

Meanwhile, Union home minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday administered the oath in connection with the anti-terrorism day to the officers and staff of the MHA, said an MHA spokesperson.

Employees in government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions across the country also took the pledge, said the spokesperson. The objective behind observance of anti-terrorism day, each year on May 21, is to wean away the youth from terrorism and the cult of violence, said the statement issued by the MHA.