Rediff Logo find
News

HOME | NEWS | REPORT
June 1, 1998

ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Infac Banner Ad

E-Mail this story to a friend

Parliament goes ballistic over attack on Indian diplomat

Pakistan has expressed regret at the brutal assault on an Indian diplomat based in Islamabad on Sunday and assured New Delhi that it would conduct an investigation into the incident, Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje Scindia told Parliament today.

Raje said this assurance was given by Pakistan High Commissioner in India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi to Foreign Secretary K Raghunath when he was summoned to South Block yesterday.

The minister, who made the statement when the matter was raised by leader of the Opposition Sharad Pawar, gave details of the assault on B S Rawat, an attache-rank official, purportedly by a security guard.

Scindia said Rawat was badly beaten and received serious injuries.

She said a strong protest had been lodged with the Pakistan government, and it had been advised to ensure full security of the staff of the Indian mission in Islamabad in line with international obligations and bilateral agreements.

In the Rajya Sabha, members from all sections of the House denounced the attack and asked the government to warn Pakistan against the recurrence of such incidents involving members of the Indian mission in Islamabad.

The members, however, urged the government to show restraint and maturity and not get provoked over the incident.

Raising the issue through a special mention, Professor Vijay Kumar Malhotra (BJP) said the government should tell Pakistan that it stop immediately the attacks on Indian diplomats and their families.

He said Indian nationals at the high commission in Islamabad worked in difficult circumstances.

Parag Chaliha (AGP) said Pakistan should desist from such activities.

Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) said such attacks violated international conventions and were against civilised behaviour.

S S Ahluwalia (Congress) described the attack as a ''shameful act'' and wanted the government to tell Pakistan that such actions would not be tolerated.

Kuldip Nayar (nominated) said the attack on the Indian diplomat was reprehensible and urged the government to show restraint and behave in a civilised manner.

The member wanted the House to pass a resolution condemning such incidents.

Nilotpal Basu (CPI-M) said India should avoid all provocation and refrain from any confrontationist approach. However, the matter was serious and should be taken up strongly with the Pakistan government.

Naresh Mohan (BJP) also wanted the Rajya Sabha to pass a resolution and wanted the government to warn Pakistan against such acts.

Onkar Singh Lekhawat (BJP) said if Pakistan did not refrain from intimidating and assaulting Indian diplomats, the government should take appropriate action at appropriate time.

Jayanthi Natarajan (Tamil Maanila Congress) urged the government to act with maturity and take steps to protect the lives of Indian staff and their family members in Islamabad.

Khan Gufran Zahidi (Congress) said a way must be found to prevent recurrence of physical attacks on Indian diplomats.

Rajya Sabha chairman Krishan Kant shared the concern of members over the incident, but said passing a resolution would amount to taking a strong step.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report

HOME | NEWS | BUSINESS | CRICKET | MOVIES | CHAT
INFOTECH | TRAVEL | LIFE/STYLE | FREEDOM | FEEDBACK