States should have new cooperation modes to fight terror: PM

Hyderabad, Oct 26: Urging the states to adopt new cooperation modes using the best technology to defeat the ''hydra-headed terror monster'', Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called upon IPS probationers to gear up to meet the grave internal security challenges.

''Today's terrorists are most sophisticated, have transnational linkages and adequate resources. Both knowledge and determination are required if we are to succeed against these elements,'' he told IPS probationers at the 'Dikshant Parade' in the prestigious Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Police Academy.

Observing that the problems were not confined to one state and encompassed several states, he said this required not just improved coordination between states but also new modes of cooperation.

Attaching more importance to internal than external aggression, he said, ''in some instances, there is an obvious external dimension to the internal threat. It will be your responsibility to ensure internal security. You must all gear up to meet this challenge.'' ''From an occasional footnote, terrorism has become a hydra-headed monster. There are several strains of terrorism present and you will need to keep abreast of developments to tackle this grave danger.'' Referring to the problems in the North East, Jammu and Kashmir and naxalite-infested States, he asked them to understand the nuances of each situation and strive to bring the alienated back to the path laid down by the law of the land.

In all, 78 IPS probationers, including eight women, participated in the parade, in addition to three officer-trainees of the Maldivian police and four of the Royal Bhutan Police.

Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil, Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Union Minister of State for Mines T Subbirami Reddy, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as also his cabinet Colleagues K Jana Reddy, P Lakshmaiah, and Sabita Indira Reddy witnessed the impressive parade.

Dr Singh urged the young officers to pay particular attention to caste-based violence and atrocities against weaker sections, including women and children, by acquiring in depth knowledge of the problems faced by the rural population. Further calling upon them to develop a strong commitment to secularism, he said, ''Each one of you must be known for being just, fair and firm. Our country is defined by its pluaralism. It is this plurality of cultures, religion and ethnicity that makes our society one of the most complex yet fascinating in the world.'' Large urban agglomerations were throwing up organised crime in an unforeseen manner. This needed knowledge of new disciplines and ways of tracking crime and understanding the forces shaping the polity, he said.

Asking officers to make all efforts to change the police's image, he said, ''Make it a force that looks after one and all. A force that marshalls the best in science and technology for upholding the rule of law. At all times, remember that you are cast in the role of investigator, not a judge. Rise above parochial considerations and personal ambitions. You have a sacred duty to perform.'' Noting that in the urgency to fight high profile crimes, more basic functions of the police force were sometimes ignored, he wanted them to create an atmosphere of security among all citizens.

''Increasingly our older citizens are living lonely lives in cities as a result of nuclear families. You must make them feel secure.'' Probationers should end feudal vestiges in the services where lower staff were treated like menials, Dr Singh said, and asked them to treat the men and women with compassion, dignity and respect.

He urged them to uphold the Constitution while discharging duties in letter and spirit during their career. ''I expect that as you step out of the portals of this hallowed institution today, you do so with a resolve that hereafter your every step will be to uphold right to life, liberty and dignity of the people you serve.'' They should work for justice through just means. ''Defeat may sometimes test you. It need not stop you. The greatest mistake lies in giving up. Wishes alone will not bring success, but planning, persistence and burning desire will. Success is an attitude and I am very confident that each one of you will make it a personal enterpise to realise the dreams of our founding fathers.'' The Prime Minister, who garlanded the statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel later, said, ''I pay tribute to the memory of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, after whom your great institution is named. He is rightly called the Iron Man of India. He was among the tallest of the builders of modern India and its federal polity.''

UNI