Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday “assured” the families of the slain CRPF jawans that each drop of tear shed by them would be avenged, keeping up his aggressive stance on Pakistan and asserting that his “New India” would not spare those who “provide guns and bombs to target our soldiers”.
“I want to assure every family that lost its loved one: each drop of tear will be avenged (aansu ka pura pura jawab liya jayega),” Modi, who skipped an all-party meeting in Delhi to be in Maharashtra, declared at a programme in Dhule.
Two of the 40 CRPF soldiers killed in Kashmir’s Pulwama on Thursday were from Maharashtra.
“The security forces have been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators of the crime. I appeal to the country to have patience and faith in the security forces. Our forces will decide the place, time and manner in which the perpetrators of this crime will be punished,” Modi told a gathering later in Yavatmal after launching several government projects.
The security forces have been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators of the crime.... Our forces will decide the place, time and manner in which the perpetrators of this crime will be punished.
Narendra Modi
The Prime Minister targeted Pakistan, without naming the neighbour.
“A nation that came into existence after Partition and encourages terror activities, and which is on the verge of bankruptcy, has now become the second name for terror,” he said.
“The sacrifice of the CRPF personnel… will not go in vain. The perpetrators of the crime will be punished,” Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister appealed to the country to “have patience and faith in the security forces”.
At his next stop, Dhule, Modi referred to a “New India”.
“I have come here at a time when there is anger and eyes are moist. I salute the brave soldiers and the mothers who gave birth to them. Apart from the government, as citizens of the country it is our responsibility to stand by the families of those who sacrificed everything for the country,” he said.
“Ours is a New India with new methods and policies, and the world will experience this now. Those who spray bullets and bombs to target our soldiers will not be spared. We will not allow them to sleep in peace,” Modi added.
Ours is a New India with new methods and policies, and the world will experience this now. Those who spray bullets and bombs to target our soldiers will not be spared. We will not allow them to sleep in peace.
Narendra Modi
At the programmes, Modi launched several projects, claimed that his government had worked tirelessly for farmers, asserted that he had worked sincerely to fulfil his assurances and asked the gathering if they were happy with his performance.
The Maharashtra Congress accused Modi of trying to reap political dividends.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan said: “This has exposed his false concern for the fallen soldiers. When the country is in mourning over the Pulwama incident, the PM expects Opposition parties to stand by the government irrespective of political differences. But, he himself is campaigning for his party and creating a feverish nationalistic pitch.
“The mortal remains of the martyrs are just reaching their native places for the last rites and the PM has already begun campaigning for his party. People are sure to notice this contradiction.”