Maniyappan: Taliban still a threat, UN told

“There are clear signs such elements continue to receive support and safe haven across the border from southern and south-eastern provinces of Afghanistan,” Sen said.

Condemning the “inhuman and barbaric killing” of Maniyappan, who was abducted on November 19, Sen said: “The Taliban and its backers bear the responsibility for the consequences of this outrageous act.” Sen said the BRO was helping build roads in Afghanistan — vital for its development and the welfare of its people. “It is inconceivable anybody should be opposed to it and threaten those working on it,” he added.

The envoy said he hoped the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

He added that international responses to destabilisation were essential but could not be limited to combat operations on the ground. It was equally necessary to attack the networks that support them, their training camps, financiers and their safe havens, Sen said.

Referring to the Outcome document adopted at the 2005 World Summit, he said: “Efficacy of cooperative multilateralism can unfortunately only be tested against the intention of its weakest adherents.”

The document called on all states “to refrain from organising, financing, encouraging, providing training for or otherwise supporting terrorist activities and to take appropriate measures to ensure that their territories are not used for such activities.”

PM, Chandy announce assistance for kin

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the family of Border Roads Organisation driver Raman Kutty Maniyappan, who was killed by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

‘‘The Prime Minister has, considering the extremely tragic circumstances of Maniyappan Raman Kutty’s death in Afghanistan, released a payment of Rs 5 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund,’’ PM’S Media Adviser Sanjaya Baru said in a statement. The Kerala Government also announced an assistance of Rs 5 lakh for Maniyappan’s family.