Oppn backs govt action, 'lapses' in focus

In an all-party meeting, the Centre vowed to take strong action; Opposition took on the government over 'lapses'; and officials said tourists were taken to meadow without police permission

- Press Trust of India

NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday told an all-party meeting that it is committed to taking strong action over the Pahalgam terror attack even as Opposition leaders raised questions over security lapses but assured support to the Centre, signalling national unity over the worst terror strike in India in nearly two decades.

People aware of the details said the government acknowledged "a lapse" that led to the attack, which killed 26 people, and said that the strike was carried out to vitiate the atmosphere when tourism in Jammu and Kashmir was booming.

"Everyone agreed that India should fight against terrorism unitedly. This has been discussed in the all-party meeting. Intelligence Bureau and home ministry officials gave information about the incident, how the incident happened and where the lapse happened," said Union minister Kiren Rijiju.

Two lawmakers said home ministry and IB officials said the meadow was not scheduled to be open to tourists till June and that's why there was no paramilitary presence at the site. "They said all tour operators, guides and hoteliers are given strict instructions to keep the local police informed about the movement of tourists. In this case it did not happen," said the two lawmakers.

The officials said on April 20 a large group of tourists was taken to the meadow without any information to the local police and the CRPF. "There was no incident on April 20 and 21, but then on April 22 the attack was carried out," the person said.

To be sure, local authorities said the meadow was open throughout the year and tourists were streaming into the grassland since the beginning of April and even during winter.