319 Statement by 25 November. 2002 Deputy Prime Minister 320 Re: Attack on Raghunath Mandlr, Jammu SHRI K. JANA KRISHNAMURTHY: Sir, I Introduce the public call to step up terrorist violence in Jammu and Bill. Kashmir. Monitoring of the communication network of terrorists indicates that the Jammu attack is the handiwork of Al [English] Mansooran which is a cover organisation of the Lashkar-e- Toiba. 14.06 hrs. STATEMENT RE: REPRESENTATION OF THE The present incident has been aimed at innocent PEOPLE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE - LAID civilians at a public place of worship. Earlier in March this year also. the terrorists had carried out an attack on the THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI K. Temple in which five persons were killed. The three terrorists JANA KRISHNAMURTHY): Sir. I beg to lay on the table an responsible for that assault were also eliminated. explanatory statement (Hindi and English versions) showing reasons for immediate legislation by the Representation of According to reports, late on Sunday evening, two the People (Amendment) Ordinance, 2002. terrorists appeared at Raghunath Mandlr Chowk, Jammu. (Placed in Library. See No. LT. 6046/2002] One of them forced entry into the Mandir Complex and hurled grenades, thereby creating panic in the area. People [English) started running helter skelter. Taking advantage of !he situation, the terrorists mingled with the crowd and ertered 14.07 hrs. Raghunath Mandir. When confronted by a CRPF constable. the terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, killing him on the ·sTATEMENT BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RE: ATTACK ON RAGHUNATH MANDIA. JAMMU spot and causing casualties to a number of others including civilians. How~ver. the Pujarls managed to close the sanctum THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANO IN CHARGE sanctorum. forcing one of the terrorists to take shelter on OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI L.K. the periphery of the sanctum sanctorum.- The CRPF ADVANI): Mr. Speaker, Sir. terrorist groups being mentored personnel guarding the temple laid a cordon to prevent the from across the International Border/Line of Control in Jammu escape of this terrorist. The operation at Raghunath Temple and Kashmir have struck once again -- this time on the had culminated with the elimination of the terrorist hiding in famous Raghunath Temple of Jammu. These terrorists have the Mandir late on 24th November evening. demonstrated their total lack of concern for the overwhelming yearning for peace demonstrated by the people of Jammu At the same time, the second terrorist escaped In the and Kashmir when they braved violence and exercised their meiee towards Panjbakhter Road, opened fire and lobbed right of vote in the recent Legislative Assembly elections. grenades. This place is located just a few hundred metres The terrorists have simultaneously shown their disdain for away from Raghunath Temple where another Shiv Mandir international opinion and the efforts of various countries which called Rupaya Wala Mandir is located. Alert JKP personnel have been trying to apply moral and diplomatic pressure to closed the doors of the Shiv Temple, preventing entry of the end cross-border terrorism in India. terrorist. The terrorist resorted to firing from a congested area adjoining this Shiv Mandir. The area was then cordoned In the last three days, there have been a series of off and this terrorist was killed this morning (25th November). attacks by terrorists, chief among which were a suicidal attack in CRPF camp at Pamposh Hotel Complex, Srinagar The Stale Government has intimated that at the time on 22nd November and targeting the Jammu-bound Army of the earlier terrorist attack on the Raghunath Mandir in convoy through an IED near Jawahar Tunnel on 23rd March, 2002, the complex was guarded by 2/8 Guard of November. These and the present attack on Raghunath SSB personnel, besides local police for frisking etc., which Temple makes one speculate whether it is a mere was subsequently replaced by one platoon of CAPF. This coincidence that this spate of terrorist incidents has occurred was further augmented by deploying one section each of 1ust when the process of Government formation has been CRPF at Raghunath Chowk and Hart Market entry points of completed in Pakistan. The spurt of violence also follows the release by Government of Pakistan of the Chief of LeT; the temple. In addition, local police are deployed also at Hafiz Mohammad Sayeed. After his release. he vowed to various check points in and around the temple. continue the "Jehad" In Jammu and Kashmir and gave a In this terrorist attack on 24th November, 12 persons • (Al~o placed in Library. See No. Ll 6047/2002) including one policeman, one CRPF jawan and one militant 321 Statement by Agrahayana 04. 1924 (Saka) Deputy Prime Minister 322 Re: Attack on Raghunath Mandlr, Jammu were killed. Around 52 persons sustained injuries. One more not granted for asking questions. But this being a serious injury to a Deputy SP occurred in the Shiv Mandir incident issue -I cannot call it a first of its kind -I am sure the whole today (25th November) when the second terrorist was killed. country has taken a serious note of this issue and therefore. a few Members may be allowed to ask a few questions on Today (25th November) morning, His Excellency the this as a special case. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, hon. the Chief Minister accompanied by the Deputy Chief Minister and senior officers SHRI J.S. BRAR (FARIDKOT): Those who have given visited the encounter site and the hospital and took stock of notice for Adjournment Motion, will they be allowed? the situation. Hon. the Chief Minister also took a meeting with senior police officials yesterday to take lurther measures MR. SP.EAKER: Those who have given notices for Adjournment Motions will definitely be allowed to ask for strengthening security in the State particularly In the questions. Jammu region. A meeting of prominent citizens Is also being held by the hon. Chief Minister at Jammu to seek co- SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY: Mr. Speaker. Sir. at the outset, operation of people in fighting terrorism in the State. I would like to associate myseH absolutely with the words of condemnation that the Home Minister uttered in his well- As a precautionary measure curfew has been Imposed considered statement. I also share his political analysis in Jammu town. behind the attack that took place last night and thb morning. Government has also sent a team including, Shri l.D We would ~ e to compliment our security personnel · be Swami, Minister ol State for Home and Director General, they local policemen. CAPF and others -who displayed CRPF to Jammu today. great skill, bravery and alacrity in minimising the damage by the terrorists. The above Incident is part of a deliberate design t:i It is a part of the dlabolcal design by Pakistani agencies create a communal divide in J&K. The people of the State, to get the people In Jammu and Kashmir divided on religious we are sure, will defeat these designs. lines. The Government of Pakistan has been pursuing this Government remains committed to provide all line all this decade, and there is a pattern to all this. They assistance to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in its have, of late .. chosen to concentrate on places of worship. fight against terrorism. In fact, they have been doing this for years. It began with Hazratbal some years ago: they did this with regard to Chrar· May I ask all Members of the House to join me in e-Sharief: then Raghunath Temple itsett: then Akshardham. strongly condemning the Incident and those responsible for and again Raghunath Temple. it and also in offering condolences to the famlNes of those The Common Minimum Programme. un th>! bF1s1s ol killed In the incident and in reiterating the country's resolve which the new Government has just been lorm!Kl. enjoin:; to take all possible steps to combat and to defeat the scourge upon the Mufti Government to cooperate with the of cross-border terrorism in all its forms. Government of India absolutely in countenng terrorism. which SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY (MIRYALGUDA): Sir, we trom is imported from Pakistan. As we all know. Jammu and the Congress Party have given a notice for Adjournment Kashmir is not a provincial problem, nor is ii a party problem Motion or this .... (Interruptions) II is primarily and ultimately a ftrst-rate Mtional problPm. II has been a long-standing ~. It is burning even now. {Translation] Therefore. I agree with the approach outlined by the Home Minister in pleading that we adopt a consensual approach. SHRI RAM NAGINA MISHRA (PADRAUNA): Mr. However. I would like to mention · not by way of m1He Speaker, Sir, please give us also the opportunity to speak. complaint but by way of friendly forewarning -that we all ... (Interruptions) resist this temptation of getting into a partisan debate on KUNWAR AKHILESH SINGH (MAHARAJGANJ, U.P.): this issue. Mr. Speaker. Sir. our's is the Adjournment Motion. I want Yesterday. Shri l.D. Swami · who is generally a soh· your protection. .. (Interruptions) spoken. mild-mannered gentleman -was tempted to say that the so!t line of new Government has already begun to {English] show up its negative. adverse effects. I think it is too short MR. SPEAKER: Hon. Members, you are all aware that a period. I know the BJP Is a babble of tongues. At least. on such Statements, in our House. normally permission is the Home Ministry should not become a tower of tongues. 323 Statement by 25 November, 2002 Deputy Prime Minister 324 Re: Attack on Raghunath Mandlr, Jammu (Shri S. Jalpal Reddy) whether any practical obstacles have cropped up in the unified effort that is to be mounted In combating terrorism.