Exclusive law to deal terrorism stressed

Barkur, Jul 5 (UNI) Karnataka Home Minister V S Acharya today stressed the urgent need for framing a new law exclusively to deal with terrorism and militancy which is threatening the country's internal security.

Regretting that the POTA, which was introduced to tackle the terrorism effectively, had been repelled, the Home Minister said, ''terrorism is causing loss to the property and life. It draws international attention, and a strong law is a must to counter terrorism.'' Inaugurating a state-level seminar on 'Modern Terrorism, Efficiency of Criminal Justice System and Role of Civil Society' here, he said terrorism had increased to a dangerous level through the acquisition of chemical and biological weapons by the terrorists.

Moreover, unlike in the past, schools, colleges and hospitals were now being targeted by the terrorists to pollute the young minds, he cautioned.

The seminar, jointly organised by the SRS Memorial National Government First Grade College and District Legal Services Authority, was sponsored by the UGC.

Stressing the importance of the media's effective and constructive role in emergency situation, the minister called upon the public to be more supportive and responsive.

IGP (Western Range) A M Prasad said, ''there is a need for sensitising people on the growing terrorism and militancy mainly targeted at the civil society.'' He exhorted that the young minds should be stopped from joining terrorists and stop funding, which would effectively help in controlling the spread of terrorist activities.

UNI MA MSP SW AS1813