PM proposes Empowered Group of Ministers to tackle naxalism

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over rising incidents of ''externally inspired and directed terrorism'' and naxal violence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for improving intelligence network and proposed constituting an Empowered Group of Ministers to suggest measures to contain naxal violence and involve public in the ''battle against terrorism''.

In his inaugural speech at the Chief Ministers' meeting on Internal Security here, Dr Singh said the proposed Empowered Group of Ministers would closely monitor the spread of naxalite movement.

The Group, headed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil with select Chief Ministers as its members could meet at frequent intervals and review special measures needed to be taken, nature of assistance to be provided and exchange of personnel between states.

Dr Singh advocated a blend of firm, but sophisticated handling of naxalite violence with sensitive management of the developmental aspects.

Pointing out that left wing extremism was thriving in the most neglected parts of the country like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, he emphasised special training of the forces engaged in naxalite operations. The states must take effective measures to improve law and order and cooperation between the centre and states must increase to tackle internal security problems and threats.

Dr Singh said the key in fighting naxalite violence was good intelligence involving effective integration of strategic and tactical intelligence properly leavened with ground level information available at the level of police station. Since Police was the first responder to the naxalite related situation, sensitising it was a critical requirement, he said.

The Prime Minister said ''the concerns over increasing activities of ''externally-inspired and directed terrorist outfits in the country was justified. Intelligence agencies warn of a further intensification of violent activities with the possibilities of more 'fiyadeen' attacks, use of suicide bombers, attacks on economic and religious targets, and targeting of vital installations including nuclear establishments, army camps and the like,'' he pointed out and said that reports suggest that terrorists modules and 'sleeper cells' exist in some of the urban areas.

''All of these highlight the seriousness of the threat,'' he said and added that ''these are serious matters and we must find ways and means to deal with these decentralised micro-terrorist outfits.'' More UNI AJ MSJ HS1436