Hand over Mumbai attack masterminds: PM to Pakistan

Notwithstanding Islamabad's rejection of extraditing anyone to India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asked Pakistan to hand
PM Manmohan Singh
PM Manmohan Singh addresses mediamen during the inauguration of the Indian Science Congress in Shillong. (PTI Photo)
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over "criminals" responsible for Mumbai attacks so that they face trial in India. ( Watch )

PM Manmohan Singh hoped that "some sense" would prevail on the leadership of Pakistan and it recognises that those behind the "horrible acts" in Mumbai have to be brought to justice.

"It (Pakistan) has to take action on the demand from all civilised countries that the perpertrators (of Mumbai attacks) will be brought to book. We hope that these criminals will be handed over to us to face trial," he told a press conference after inaugurating the annual Indian Science Congress here.

He also hoped that the new government in Bangladesh would not allow its territory to be used for terrorists acts against India especially in the North East.

Asserting that government will never compromise with those using the gun, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country but was open to hold dialogue with those laying down arms.

"The growing menace of terrorism and naxalism is a cause of worry. The government will not compromise with terrorism," PM Manmohan Singh said.

"There were some initial setbacks, but we will overcome them. The government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country," Manmohan Singh said referring to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai, Delhi and Assam.

Asked whether the Centre was open to talks with the banned ULFA, Singh said, "all insurgent groups must recognise that their only course open to them is to lay down arms. We will never compromise with those who believe in use of gun to get solution to their real or imaginary problems."

He said insurgents and terrorists must recognise that gun is no solution to fulfil their demands. "Once they lay down arms as Indian citizens we are willing to talk to anybody," he said.