Kalam expresses shock over Nithari killings

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) Expressing shock over the killings of children in the Nithari village in NOIDA, President A P J Abdul Kalam today said these had ''left deep scars'' on the nation and called for ''exemplary punishment'' and prevention of such acts by identifying people with criminal tendency with the use of modern psychological tests.

''Some recent incidences of crime against children have shocked the whole nation and left deep scars in all of us,'' Dr Kalam said in his customary address to the nation on the eve of the 58th Republic Day without mentioning Nithari or the accused.

Pointing out that children were national wealth, he said cruelty to them was against the ''fabric of society which cannot be tolerated at any cost.'' Calling for concerted action by all concerned in society such as watchful neighbours, the President said the need of the hour was a fast action oriented police machinery, a vigilant media and speedy exemplary punishment to perpetrators of crime by the judicial system.

''In addition, as a preventive action, people with such criminal tendency should be identified through modern psychological test aids.

''Eradication of cruelty towards children should be the mission of every Indian since they are our future,'' he said.

UNI