POTA will have to go

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 otherwise.

The 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 improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Kashmir yesterday which claimed the lives of 25 BSF jawans, Patil said that on the issue of terrorism in J&K, "if we have to do anything more than what is being done, certainly we will do it. 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 to take steps for the modernisation of police forces and creation of good relations between the Centre and the states".

Patil was asked a pointed question on what his government thought on 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...," said Patil 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," said Patil .

Describing the Ayodhya issue as one with "political connotation," Patil, who has held ministerial berths during teh regimes of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi said, "the home ministry has to deal with it."

Patil said that the government stands for the issue to be decided by the courts and if it has to be decided outside the court, it should have judicial sanction."