09/08/2011, 00.00
INDIA
Send to a friend

Indian bishops’ "deep sorrow" for Delhi High Court bombing

The Indian Bishops' Conference condemns "odious act of terror." Controversy over security forces ability to counter the challenge of terrorism. The National Investigation Agency arrests three people after claim by HuJI, an organization linked to Al Qaeda in Pakistan.
New Delhi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Catholic bishops have expressed their "profound sorrow" for the attack on the High Court in Delhi which killed 12 people, injuring 75 others. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency arrested three people yesterday in Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir), in connection with the attack while controversy is raging in Parliament and the media on the country's vulnerability to the threat of terrorism.

"We are deeply pained at the heinous act of terror which has no meaning in any form but exposes the hollowness of the perpetrators who are anti national and a great threat to society”, write the bishops of India in an official statement, which continues: "Each human life is a gift of God and we must do everything to protect it. Those who forcefully take the lives of innocent people work against the divine plan and prove themselves as enemies of a peaceful social order. We call upon those who indulge in violence to give up the path of destruction and follow the path that leads to unity and peace in society. " Finally, the Bishops' Conference calls: "We urge the Government of India to do its best to nab the culprits behind the bomb blast and bring them to justice. We also urge the civil society to be more vigilant at all times and assist the administration in doing away with terrorism in our country".

This morning, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced the arrest of three people in Kishtwar (Jammu and Kashmir). Khawjia Mehmood Aziz, owner of Global Internet Café in the Malik market in Kishtwar from where the email claiming the attack was sent and his brother are currently being questioned by police. An email was sent yesterday from the Global Internet Cafe in which the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI), based in Pakistan, an organization close to Al Qaeda, took responsibility for the gesture, and demanded the release of one of its members, Afzal Guru, sentenced to death over the 2001 assault on parliament. NIA investigators are also on the trail of a stolen car used by the attacker after he left the briefcase bomb at the front desk of the High Court.

India has suffered six attacks since November 2008. There are controversies about the efficiency of security services, and their ability to deal with this threat. The President of the Bar Council of Delhi, Rakesh Tiku, protests that after a first attempt to attack the High Court in May, the police did not want to install CCTV cameras. S. Chandrasekharan, Director of the South Asia Analysis Group says that security agents are not adequately trained and equipped. "The risk of terrorism is not taken seriously", and the country is a "soft target". Interior Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said yesterday that there has been great progress in recent years. The police states that the attack was made before the checkpoint. The authors were two men, one about 50 years of age and the other much younger.


TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
Osaka High Court rules in favour of compensation for victims of forced sterilisation
26/02/2022 14:51
Christian groups claim right to manage their own schools
16/06/2006
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
Mumbai, bishops meeting from all over India to reflect on the 'mission of the Church'
09/07/2018 08:42


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”