New Delhi: Opposition on Thursday accused the government of failing to check terror strikes in the country, including yesterday`s attack in Srinagar in which five CRPF personnel were killed.
"The External Affairs Minister treats Pakistani Prime Minister to a sumptuous lunch when he comes to Ajmer Sharif and just four days later, this terror attack happens. ... We should unite and challenge Pakistan," Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour.
"I salute the Diwan of Ajmer Sharif (who refused to welcome the visiting Pakistani Premier last week). He did what the government could not do," Swaraj said, seeking a response from the government on the Srinagar terror strike.
She lamented that "the front row of the treasury bench was empty when the House was condoling the death of the CRPF personnel earlier today. Neither the Leader of the House (Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde), nor senior ministers or the UPA Chairperson (Sonia Gandhi) were present when the Speaker was making the obituary reference. It is a sad situation."
Swaraj said it was "very shameful" that every other day Pakistan was attacking Indian soldiers, including beheading one of them recently, and "there is no reaction."
"We got some assurance when the visa on arrival (to Pakistanis) was stopped and the Prime Minister made a statement that business as usual will not do", but the attacks happened again, she said.
Heated exchanges took place between members of National Conference (NC) and the BJP, when Swaraj said, "These attacks are occurring when there is a demand for withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)."
As soon as Swaraj spoke of AFSPA, NC members Sharifuddin Shariq and Mirza Mehboob Beg were on their feet shouting that the law, which gave stringent powers to the armed forces, should be withdrawn, prompting BJP members to rise and shout back.
PTI
