Nitish for high-level prove into security lapses

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2007 PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday demanded that the Centre order a high-level probe into alleged security lapses leading to the blast in the Samjhauta Express near Panipat in which over 60 Pakistan-bound passengers, including women and children, were charred to death. "It is a highly condemnable incident. The Centre should order a high-level probe into all the matters, including the security lapses leading to the blast," Kumar, a former Railway Minister, told reporters. Asked if he would demand resignation of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad owning moral responsibility for the tragedy, he said, "The Railway Ministry is virtually being run by the officials of Railway Board. Lalu ji always roams around in Patna." "In fact, the Railway is running without a minister and therefore, there is no justification for asking for Lalu's resignation," he sarcastically remarked.