Fernandes coming, Basu unperturbed

The Chief Minister also said that he would not meet Fernandes. 8220;I have no appointment with him8221;.

Asked if Union Home Minister L K Advani had sought a report regarding law and order in the stte, Basu quipped, 8220;We have sent the report thrice. How many times shall we send it?8221;.

Trinamool Congress policy-making body Chairman Pankaj Banerjee here told newsmen that Fernandes, who would arrive here tomorrow morning, would visit the troubled areas in Midnapore and Bankura.

He said the crucial meeting of the party8217;s policy-making body scheduled tonight, has been postponed in view of the visit of Fernandes. Party chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was not in the city. She had visited the Sihore in Bankura last night, where one Trinamool Congress supporter was killed in armed clash with CPI-M Activists.

Banerjee had earlier said that she would announce her 8220;final decision8221; regarding the Centre8217;s stand on the recurring violence in the state in the policy-making body meeting.

The decision to send Fernandes was taken at a meeting convened by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee shortly before his departure to the United States late last night to assess the gravity of the situation in Midnapore, Bankura, Birbhum, Hooghly and Burdwan districts of the state.

The proposed visit of the NDA convenor comes in the wake of Banerjee8217;s persistent demand for imposition of President8217;s rule in the state and declaring the districts as disturbed8217; to facilitate deployment of Central para-military forces.

Senior Home Ministry officials are, however, understood to be reluctant to send a Central team for a spot assessment or summoning senior officials from the state to Delhi apprehending stiff reaction from the Marxist-ruled state.

In June 1998, the state government had refused to interact with the Central team saying law and order was the sole responsibility of the state.

Meanwhile in Mumbai, Fernandes said that there will not be a repetition of Kargil-like situation and adequate arrangements have been made to obtain real-time intelligence on various fronts.

8220;There is no fear of a Kargil-like situation that was created by Pakistan last year8221;, Fernandes said pointing out that Pakistan has realised the potential and capabilities of the mighty Indian Army.

Fernandes, addressing a gathering of the captains of the industry on the 94th foundation day of the Indian Merchants8217; Chamber IMC here, said, 8220;there should not be any speculation or worries about reoccurence of such a situation.8221;

8220;We are ready for any eventuality 8212; and I must assure you that there should not be any worries about Kashmir,8221; the Defence Minister said and added that all efforts are being taken by the armed forces and the para-military forces to curb terrorism in the Valley backed by Pakistan.

Fernandes said that adequate measures have been taken by the Indian Army to obtain intelligence like sensors, electronic and aerial surveillence. 8220;We are now receiving real time intelligence,8221; he said talking about the military intelligence.

He also said, that human intelligence8217; is also important and it could not be ignored. 8220;After all it is the human being, who will decipher the intelligence,8221; he said. On the occasion he also recalled the entire Kargil episode and how the Pakistani regulars and intruders were thrown out from the Indian side of the Line of Control LoC.