Govt expressed intention to take even stricter action against Pakistan: Rijiju after all-party meet

New Delhi: Following an all-party meeting convened in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday underscored the need for national unity and reiterated the government’s unwavering zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. 

Speaking to the media, Rijiju said leaders across the political spectrum expressed solidarity and echoed a unified stance against terrorism. “There was complete consensus that the country must stand together and speak in one voice against such acts of terror,” he said. 

"In the beginning, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke about the incident that took place in Pahalgam and shared the decisions taken by the Government in the CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) meeting following the incident. He also spoke about the Government's stance of zero tolerance against terrorism. It was stated that the incident was very tragic, and the Indian Government has expressed its intention to take even stricter action going forward," Rijiju said.

"For the past several years, the people of Kashmir had been conducting their businesses, tourists had been visiting, and everything was progressing well. This incident has disturbed that peaceful environment, and everyone has expressed their concern over it. All political parties shared their views and there was a consensus that the country should stand united and speak with one voice against terrorism," he said.

He also pointed out that security lapses were also discussed during the meeting. "This has been discussed in the all-party meeting on behalf of the government. IB, home ministry officials gave information about the incident, how the incident happened and where the lapse happened," he said.

Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has called on the central government to take firm action against the country that harbours terrorist groups, suggesting that international law allows India to carry out air and naval blockades in self-defence and to impose arms-related sanctions on Pakistan.

"...The central government can take action against the nation which shelters the terrorist groups. The international law also permits us to do an air and naval blockade in self-defence against Pakistan and impose sanctions on Pakistan on arms sales...Why was the CRPF not deployed at the Baisaran meadow?... Why did the quick reaction team take one hour to reach there and they shot people by asking their religion...The false propaganda against the Kashmiris and Kashmiri students should be stopped... I condemn the way the terrorists killed people by asking about their religion...It is very good that the Indus Water Treaty has been suspended but where will we keep the water?... We will support whatever decision the central government takes...This is not a political issue...," he said.