Centre dispels proposal on fighting terror

Indias policy of non-alignment cannot be shaken by anyone

Speaking at a two-day International Conference of Jurists on International Terrorism, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said, “India firmly believes in non-alignment movement (NAM) and ‘panchseel’ and this policy can not be shaken by any country or individual.’’

In the presence of President Pratibha Patil and several international dignitaries, Moily said, “I disagree with the view of Jethmalani. It is not the view of the government. It is wrong to attribute terrorism to any religion.

CJI for joint probe

Chief Justice of India (CJI) K G Balakrishnan on Saturday endorsed a suggestion for joint international probes into acts of terrorism and trial of terrorists by a supranational tribunal such as the International Criminal Court.

Balakrishnan supported the idea in his inaugural address  to the conference. It was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil. Balakrishnan supported the idea of international probes into acts of terrorism, while dwelling upon the reluctance of some countries to act against terrorists operating from their soil due to the local support enjoyed by such terror outfits.

“To tackle such circumstances, there has been a constructive suggestion that terrorist attacks should be treated as a unique form of armed conflict,” said Balakrishnan. “And in such situations of armed conflict, obligations can be placed on all nations to collaborate in the investigation and prosecution of people responsible for terrorist attacks, irrespective of the location of the attacks or the nationality of the perpetrators,” the CJI told the conference.

“This calls for a blurring of the distinction between the international and domestic nature of armed conflict when it comes to terrorist strikes,” the CJI added.