Modi criticises Shinde on Dawood issue, Cong brushes it aside

Narendra Modi on Saturday accused Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde of giving media statements instead of acting against Dawood Ibrahim, but the Congress brushed aside the criticism.

In an interview to Gujarati channel Sandesh News, Modi questioned whether a press note needs to be issued to bring back Dawood Ibrahim.

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Responding to questions about Shinde's statement that India will bring back Dawood from Pakistan, Modi said, "Can such things be achieved through media. Are these things to be revealed through newspapers. Did Americans talk with bin Laden? Did America hold a press conference on its plans about tracking down bin Laden?

"What has the government done? They don't have mininum maturity. I am ashamed that the Home Minister made such statements."

Congress leader P Chidambaram, a former Home Minister, said the government cannot send commandos to Pakistan to bring back Dawood and wondered whether Modi can suggest something better.

"We know that he is being sheltered by the government of Pakistan. If those who say we are not doing enough, please tell us what more a government should do. Should we send half a dozen black cat commandos to get him back? Strange arguments," he said.

"We know he (Dawood) lives in Karachi and from there he goes to Middle East and comes back. But how do you get a person, who is being given shelter by Pakistan.... Modi should say what we should do. There is a red corner notice against him.

"If we can apprehend him, we will do it. ...we can't engage in any kind of clandestine activity. We can't go to Pakistan."

Dawood, accused of masterminding the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts and a number of other terrorist acts in the country, is the most wanted fugitive. He is believed to be staying in Pakistan. India has sought his extradition. Attempts to bring him back to India did not fructify due to Pakistan's non-cooperation.