Modi calls for stringent terror law

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) Calling for a stringent law to punish the perpetrators of terrorism, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today said it was neccessary not only to put down such forces with an iron hand, but also to prevent India's educated youth from being drawn into terrorist ideology.

He said terrorists have targeted relatively developed centres and urban localities to weaken the growth and progress while spreading insecurity among the citizens.

These forces need to be tackled with a strong and united political will or else the nation would pay a heavy price, he stated in his address at the National Integration Council (NIC) here.

He also noted that rise of terrorism with educated youth involving in terrorist attack does not augur well for communal harmony and called for national consensus to isolate such people, groups and the so-called intellectuals supporting these elements in the name of protection of human rights.

He regretted that some people indulge in talking about vulnerability of particular sections of the society while the focus should be on safety, security and dvelopment of all.

''The individuals and organisations showing leniency towards the terrorists and disruptive elements need to be identified and isolated. A clear line must be drawn between those who do and those who do not support our fight against terrorism,'' he said.

This also can be very demoralising for the security forces, he added.

Calling for an early approval to his state's GujCoc, he said, ''A stringent law is required not only to punish the perpetrators of terrorism, but also to prevent our educated being drawn in to terrorist ideology,'' he said.

On religious conversions, the Chief Minister said mass religious conversions by coercion and allurement must be checked to ensure peace in the society.

''Communal peace is often disturbed in the society because of such activities... Let the religious groups profess and practice their respective relgions and refrain from forcible conversion,'' he added.

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