States asked to strengthen police, intelligence: Patil

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) The Centre has urged the states to strengthen their police forces and provide more funds for policing while stressing the need to beef up the intelligence machinery to get timely and actionable intelligence to fight terorrism.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil told this to a group of Indian Police Service Probationers who called on him this morning.

Mr Patil said the government was trying to tackle the challenge of naxalism in a holistic manner by addressing both security and development issues. Less than three per cent of the police stations in the country are affected by the Naxal violence, he pointed out and said the intelligence gathering must be strengthened both at the Centre and state level.

Warning that the times to come would be challenging as criminals have been making use of the latest technologies and new concepts, the Home Minister asked young police officers to upgrade their skills and make their minds stronger to effectively control crimes and help innocent people.

Police officers will have to continue to outwit them by upgrading their skills, said Mr Patil, adding police officers should be strong in their minds while dealing with criminals, kind in their hearts to understand them and wise in the actions they take.

The Home Minister said police officers must strive to produce the best possible results in the given conditions. He reminded young officers that by ensuring peace and security, they can greatly contribute to the development of the nation.

Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and the Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta were also present on the occasion. The group of IPS officers included 18 women probationers.

UNI