Nuclear establishments, army face terror threat: PM

New Delhi, Sep 5: Admitting that vital installations like nuclear establishments and army camps were facing grave threat from fiyadeen, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for greater alertness by intelligence agencies and involving public in the war against terrorism.

''Concern about the increasing activities of externally inspired and directed terrorist outfits in the country is justified.

Intelligence agencies warn of further violent activities with a possibility of more fiyadeen attacks on economic and religious places, targeting vital installations including nuclear establishments and the like,'' the Prime Minister said while inaugurating the annual Chief Ministers Conference on internal security issues.

Dr Singh said there are reports suggesting terrorist modules and ''sleeper cells'' existing in some of the urban areas.

Terming it as a serious matter, the Prime Minister said that both, the Centre and state governments, must find ways and means to deal with these decentralised micro-terrorist outfits.

Stressing the need for greater alertness on the part of states, local intelligence agencies and police who have locational advantage, he said unless the beat constable was brought within the vortex of counter-terrorist strategy, our capacity to pre-empt future attacks would be severely limited.

''In the battle against terrorism, the role of the public will be vital. A major effort is necessary on our part to sensitise the public into becoming allies in this war and pursuade some of them to function as couter-terrorist wardens. Similarly, co-opting the media and getting them to play more positive role would be useful and this should form part of an overall media management strategy,'' the Prime Minister said.

However, none of these would be possible without the direction and personal involvement of the Chief Ministers, he added.

Dr Singh cautioned that fundamental human rights of citizens, especially minorities, should be respected while dealing with terrorism. ''No innocent people should be harassed in the war against terrorism,'' he said adding that if any mistake is made, effective remedial measures must be taken well on time.

UNI

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