Govt better prepared to deal with terror acts: PM

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singhtoday said the internal security scenario continues to be amatter of great concern but asserted that the government isbetter prepared now to deal with any terror threat.

"Internal security of the country has been a greatconcern. I would not like to say we did not worry about terroracts, (but) we are better prepared to deal with acts of terrorand prevent many potential terrorist acts," he said in aninteraction with television editors.

Singh said "the government deserves some credit" forvarious steps being taken to improve the internal securityscenario in the country as well as to deal with any possibleterror threat.

"In the Northeast, things are getting normalised. Talksare going to begin with ULFA. The ULFA leadership havingdecided to give up the path violence is a welcome developmentwhich will have far-reaching consequences for the growthprocesses in our Northeastern states," he said.

The Prime Minister said situation in Jammu and Kashmirhas also improved considerably after a cycle of violence.

After the Mumbai terror attack, the government had toface all-round criticism for its handling of internal securityscenario. The 26/11 attack also cost the then Home MinisterShivraj Patil his job.

However, after P Chidambaram took charge as Home Ministerin the aftermath of the worst-ever terror attack in thecountry, he took a number of steps to strengthen the internalsecurity mechanism, helped the states to modernise theirpolice forces, procure arms and recruit more people.

The Prime Minister had in the past also praisedChidambaram and his team for their good work in the HomeMinistry.