Hurriyat talks may be delayed: Shivraj Patil

THE NEW TEAM'S FIRST DAY

The repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) seemed to run into trouble with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) firmly committed to its repeal and the BJP announcing it would block efforts at a repeal.

New Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who took charge of the Home Ministry today, also indicated that talks with Hurriyat conference could be delayed.

He said that the amalgam leaders will have to decide whether they want to talk to the new government. The centre, he said, would also have to study the progress made in parleys with the Hurriyat so far.

"Our government believes in the essence of dialogue and we also want to continue with the parleys. But maybe Hurriyat will also have to think whether they want to talk to us. We will also have to study the progress made in earlier rounds.So obviously, it will take some time," Patil told reporters after taking over as the home minister.

He was responding to a question whether the third round of talks with Hurriyat slated in June would be held on time.

Patil, who was deputy leader of the Congress in the previous Lok Sabha, said: "it will be the duty of the government to ensure that citizens are given a feeling that they will be protected in a very impartial manner. Social harmony will be maintained".

In the context of the IED blast in Kashmire yesterday which claimed the lives of 25 BSF jawans, Patil said thatt on tthe issue of terrorism in J&K "if we have to do anything more than what is being done, certainly we will do it. The government has to do its duty and government will do its duty. But at the same time, I can tell you that talks are useful. How to talk, with what preparations to talk and what to expect from them are things which we have to carefully consider".

Giving details of his thrust areas, he said "we shall have take steps for modernisation of the police forces and creation of good relations between the centre and the states".

Patil was asked a pointed question on what his government thought of imposing President's Rule, now that this was a real possibility in UP where Mulayam Singh Yadav is heading the government.

"The issue has to be examined carefully. If it becomes necessary it can be used...." Patil said, not ruling out the use of Article 356 in the constitution to dismiss state governments.

"We do not consider pota as necesary but we will examine the issue carefully and not take any hasty measure," Patil told pti here.

While law minister H R Bharadwaj said the congress-led government did not relish pota and steps would be taken to repeal or amend the statute, parliamentary affairs minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was of the view that the government would go by the common minimum programme (CMP).

With Left parties and southern allies of the Congress being strongly opposed to the anti-terrorism measure, the draft CMP has described the law as "grossly misused" in the last two years and suggested its abbrogation.

Replying to questions after taking over as the home minister, Patil said "my party's (Congress) stand on POTA is well known. Now that we have taken over, we will have to see all the aspects of this law."

Asked that the law minister has stated that he would be submitting his views on pota to home ministry, he said "this is a coalition government. We will have to consult every ally of ours before taking the matter to the Cabinet."