Terming Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists" remark as "intemperate", CPI (M) today said it suggests "patronizing state-sponsored terrorism" and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a public correction in this connection.
CPI (M) said that the statement is a "shocking call to act outside law and suggests patronizing state-sponsored terrorism, damaging" India's demand for action against Pakistan-backed militants.
"In a widely reported interview he (Parrikar) said that 'terrorists will be met by terrorists'. This is a shocking call from the Defence Minister to act outside the law and in fact suggests patronizing 'state-sponsored' terrorism.
"It does damage to India's demand for action against Pakistan-backed terrorists. The Prime Minister should make amends through a public correction of this statement," CPI(M) said in a statement.
Asserting that terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists, Parrikar had yesterday said India will take "pro-active" steps to prevent a 26/11 type attacks hatched from foreign soil.
"There are certain things that I obviously cannot discuss here. But if there is any country, why only Pakistan, planning something against my country, we will definitely take some pro-active steps," he had said at an event here.
The Minister used Hindi phrase "kante se kanta nikalna" (removing a thorn with a thorn) and wondered why Indian soldiers should be used to neutralize terrorists.
