Kasab hanging: BJP seeks to fast track terror cases

BJP today welcomed 26/11 attack convict Ajmal Kasab's hanging but underlined the need for a more serious approach to combating terrorism, including fast tracking of such cases, prompt implementation of sentences and pressurising Pakistan to stop cross-border terror.

"Better late than never. Kasab's hanging will act as a balm on the wounds of the people of Mumbai but their wounds are still fresh. They will get relief only when Kasab's handler's across the border are brought to justice," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said.

BJP Chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad emphasised on pressurising Pakistan to act against terror. The party also appealed to Islamabad to take strong and effective measures to bring to book all those- be they from the army or terrorists- who conspired, handled and abetted the Mumbai terror attack.

"We also favour good relations between India and Pakistan.

But till Pakistan takes effective and credible action against terror (sponsored from its soil) as agreed in the treaty signed on January 6, 2004 between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, relations between the two countries will not be very normal," he said.

BJP also pointed out that Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru has still not been hanged.

"It has been over six years since Afzal Guru was sentenced to death and his review and other petitions were rejected by the Supreme Court but why has no action has been taken? I hope the government will expedite the processing of all mercy petitions," Prasad said.

Prasad maintained that he has always insisted fast tracking of all mercy petitions of serious offenders.

"Why are the petitions of those convicted by the Supreme Court in terror acts not being fast-tracked? We appeal to the Government of India to think seriously on this issue.

Terrorism is a big conspiracy against India in which foreign forces are also involved," Prasad said.

Sangh founthead RSS also welcomed the hanging of Kasab.

"We welcome the decision of the Government of India to hang Pakistani terrorist Amir Ajmal Kasab who killed several innocent people in the November 26, 2008 attack on Mumbai," RSS publicity chief Manmohan Vaidya said in a statement.