CM Siddaramaiah blames ‘security lapse’ for Pahalgam terror attack

Belagavi (Karnataka): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday reiterated that the security lapses and failure of central intelligence led to the terror attack on tourists at Pahalgam in Kashmir valley.

In a tragic incident, which took place at Pahalgam on April 22, as many as 26 tourists were killed and scores injured after terrorists indiscriminately fired at them, mostly non-Muslims.

Addressing the ‘Samvidhan Bachao Rally’, a protest rally against the Modi-led Union government over soaring prices of fuel and essential commodities here, Siddaramaiah said, “When terrorists killed people, including those from Karnataka, there was not even a single policeman or Indian Army personnel there. Isn’t this a security failure? Few years ago the Pulwama terror incident happened. What was intelligence and security doing?”

Dismissing criticisms on his no need for war comments as false propaganda by the BJP and a section of media, Siddaramaiah said, “In a bid to cover up its security and intelligence failures, a false propaganda is being spread to target me for questioning the lapses. Replying to a query, I told reporters there’ no need for war now. But if it’s inevitable, we can wage a war in the interests of the country. My comments were misconstrued,” the chief minister said.

Siddaramaiah said, “During the 11 years rule of the NDA government under Modi, prices of all essential commodities have doubled. During the Congress-led UPA government under Manmohan Singh, prices of crude oil had reached $125 per barrel, yet prices of petrol were under Rs 70 per litre. Now prices of crude oil have come down to $60 per barrel but petrol prices per litre have crossed Rs 100 and LPG prices have doubled. The rally aims to create awareness among the people on who’s responsible for price rise.”

Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D K Shivakumar mocking at the BJP’s Janakrosha Yatre, said that the BJP leaders of the state need to protest against Centre for increase in prices of fuel and essential commodities.

AICC general secretary in-charge of state Randeep Singh Surjewala said, while the Congress’ guarantee model has come to the aid of the people, the BJP with its inflation model is breaking the back of the people and looting the country.