Thursday, July 20 2006 11:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Toronto: The Justice John Major Inquiry Commission has urged the relatives of victims of the 1985 Air India bombing to set aside any differences of opinion over procedure reminding them the success of his investigation depends on their co-operation.

Justice Major indicated that he would grant full standing to some 39 families living in India who were related to crew members or passengers on board the Air India flight 182, observing they, too, 'suffered the same loss.'

The Inquiry Commission also accepted Canada's Attorney General plea for legal standing at the inquiry to protect disclosure of information that would be injurious to international relations, national defence or national security.

A split in the ranks of the Indo Canadian victims families became apparent yesterday when Justice John Major noted a prominent advocate for calling the inquiry, Lata Pada of Mississauga, was absent, and is seeking legal standing at the inquiry as an individual, not as part of an association of about 67 families of victims.

"It would be unfortunate if personal disagreements interfered with some of the families who have actively participated withdrawing now," Major said.

"The disservice is to the commission." The Justice John Major Commission was consitituted to suggest administrative and legislative measures to prevent failures in criminal investigation and subsequent failed prosecution of the 1985 bombing of an Air India jetliner in which 329 people were killed.