Modi asks Centre to evolve counter terrorism policy

Gandhinagar, Oct 2 (UNI) Attacking the Centre for being soft on terror, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said it should immediately convene a Chief Ministers' meet to evolve a uniform policy to counter terrorism.

''In the wake of recent terror attacks rocking various parts of the country, the Government should evolve an uniform strategy for all states,'' he said.

He pointed out that his Government had not received any inputs from the Central intelligence agencies prior to the Gujarat blasts.

Stressing on the need for strengthening the intelligence network in the country, he suggested that an Intelligence service cadre should be introduced on the lines of the IAS and the IPS.

Calling for more awareness among the masses about terrorists' activities and ways to deal with them, he said his Government had planned to open a Raksha Shakti University, where subjects like mob psychology, cyber crime, policing and the like would be covered.

Apart from this, there were plans to open a Forensic Science University, as technology can be of immense help to handle crime, he added.

Mr Modi was speaking to a group of journalists from Delhi and Mumbai, visiting Ahmedabad for the Navratri celebrations last evening.

Stating that ''Terrorism divides people and Tourism unites them'' the Chief Minister said his Government was trying to put Gujarat prominently on India's tourism map, by developing a connect between ''culture and commerce'' and ''trade and tradition''.

''As part of these efforts, we are now projecting Navratras, the world's longest dance festival, as a tourism attraction and have conceived special packages for tourists to visit Gujarat during this time,'' he said.

He also said Gujarat had highest number of heritage buildings per square kilometer in the country, but these have not been well-marketed as so those in Rajashthan, Agra and Delhi.

The Chief Minister said tourism was one sector which could give employment to lakhs of people and therefore his Government was putting in Rs two crore every year for tourism development.

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