Advani slams PM's 100-day roadmap to fight terror

INDORE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani on Monday slammed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's proposal for a task force to counter terrorism within a deadline of 100 days as "distressing" and demanded that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) be revived instead.

"Manmohan Singh took over as prime minister in May 2004 and after so many days, he is talking about a 100-day roadmap," Advani said while addressing a press conference here.

"This announcement of the prime minister is nothing but an acceptance of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government's failure to tackle terrorism," the BJP's prime ministerial candidate said.

The prime minister had Sunday recommended a task force under National Security Adviser MK Narayanan to address "Leftwing extremism, terrorism and insurgency".

Manmohan Singh put forth the proposal while addressing the director generals of police (DGPs) and inspector generals of police (IGPs) at their annual conference in New Delhi,

The task force under Narayanan, with suitable representation from central and state agencies, should draw a roadmap within 100 days to develop an integrated capability to address emerging challenges of Leftwing extremism, terrorism and insurgency, the prime minister said.

According to home ministry figures, the country has witnessed 64 bomb blasts in less than six months this year, which left more than 215 dead and over 900 injured.