Intelligence agencies will be strengthened: Patil

New Delhi, Mar 13 (UNI) Expressing satisfaction over decrease in terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East and Bihar, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today made a strong case for modernisation of police force and equipment, and said intelligence agencies would be strengthened to contain terrorism and naxalism.

Replying to the six-and-a-half-hour debate in the Lok Sabha on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2006-07, Mr Patil emphasised that such problems cannot be tackled by the forces alone as they have economic, social, cultural and to some extent political reasons.

He said the Centre had given 26 battalions to the states to tackle naxalism.

''Not even a single paisa will be charged from these states for the next three years for these forces,'' he said.

The Home Minister complimented Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, and Assam for adopting a system of Unified Command to deal with terrorist violence.

He said the government will be too happy if the other states emulate the system. ''This has be conveyed through the Home Secretary.'' He said intelligence agencies would be strengthened at all levels, but strengthening of state intelligence agencies was more important.

''We will discuss with the chief ministers and officers and try to prepare a plan to control terrorist activities.'' He said a police university would also come up.

The Demand for Grants was later passed by a voice vote.

Editors: Here pick up suitably from earlier series.

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