PM proposes Group of Ministers to tackle naxalism

New Delhi, Sep 5: 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.''

''This will necessitate greater alertness on the part of the states and local intelligence agencies as also the police who have a locational advantage. Unless the 'beat constable is brought into the vortex of the counter-terrorist strategy, our capacity to pre-empt future attacks would be severely limited,'' the Prime Minister said.

He called for sensitising public and making them an ally in the 'battle against terrorism' and persuade some of them to function as ''counter terrorist wardens' who would report any kind of unusual activities. He also asked the Chief Ministers to co-opt media and make it play a positive role in the battle.

Regarding North East and Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Singh said while dealing with peripheral states and societies there was need to understand special sensitivities and nuances of each situation and the encyclopaedic character of regional and tribal demands because if not dealt on time they could culminate in full fledged militancy.

He said states like Manipur and Nagaland are specially vulnerable and need personal attention.

Regarding Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said, ''though the situation has improved we should remain on guard in view of the continuing efforts by anti-India elements to whip up emotions and transform these into a violent movement.'' On the prevailing insecurity among minorities, especially Muslims, he said the adverse consequences of this could be extremely deleterious for our polity. ''It is unfortunate that terrorism has resulted in certain sections of our population being targeted with the result that a wrong impression has been created about the radicalisation of the entire Muslim community,'' he said.

The Prime Minister said that it is imperative to embark on a pro-active policy to ensure that few individual acts do not result in tarnishing the image of the entire community and remove any feelings of persecution and alienation from the minds of the minorities. Instead of 'Clash of Civilisations' the idea of 'Confluence of civilisations' should be propogated and education and mass media be encouraged to promote the integrated vision, he said.

Asserting that the government has the obligation to redress the legitimate grievances of minorities, he said Chief Ministers must pay personal attention to ensure that minorities were effective partners in processes of social and economic change.

While dealing with terrorism, regard and respect for fundamental human rights of citizens, particularly of minority communities, ought to be the core concern of law enforcing agencies, the Prime Minister emphasised and said that innocent persons should not be harassed in the fight against terrorism.

''If a mistake is made, effective corrective measures must be taken well in time. Government agencies must establish intimate contact with community leaders and show adequate sensitivity to their concern. CMs ought to put in effective mechanism to achieve these objectives,'' he added.

UNI