Zero tolerance to terror Govt146;s commitment: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has restated the Government8217;s resolve to enforce 8220;zero tolerance to terrorism8221;...

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has restated the Government8217;s resolve to enforce 8220;zero tolerance to terrorism8221; and has stressed the crucial role of different institutions in combating the menace.

Speaking at the 8216;Harish Chandra Memorial National Seminar on Terrorism, Law and Development8217; on the eve of Law Day here today, he said, 8220;While our Government is willing to talk to any dissatisfied group prepared to abjure violence, it stands firmly committed to enforcing 8216;zero tolerance to terrorism8217; within the framework of our existing legal system.8221;

Singh was of the opinion that 8220;certain and swift punishment8221; was an effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers, which was why the judiciary had a vital role in ensuring that cases related to terrorism were tried 8220;expeditiously8221; and offenders brought to justice without undue delay.

He, however, cautioned the police and security agencies against harming innocent citizens in their drive against armed movements and stressed on the need to streamline investigation and intelligence gathering.

8220;Apart from a strong and sustained police action against anti-national and terrorist elements, civil society also has a major role to play in preventing terrorist activities and in fighting the ideologies of extremism,8221; the Prime Minister pointed out and underscored the need for cooperation required from the media and community leaders to ensure that 8220;fringe elements8221; seeking to disrupt society were identified and isolated.

The Prime Minister8217;s concern over terrorism was due to its linkages with organised crime and capability to affect substantial damage to the economic fabric of a society by depriving ordinary men and women of their basic needs and even livelihood. Delving on the strong financial resources and sophisticated technology at the disposal of outfits, he pointed out the measures initiated by the Government to deal with the danger and made a case for the use of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to cut off flow of fund to terrorists.

Singh presented the National Law Day Awards for the current year to eminent jurists and also launched a website indii.org. Union Minister of Law and Justice Hansraj Bhardwaj, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Attorney-General Milon Banerji and president of Indian Council of Jurists V Narayanswamy were also present on the occasion.