Zero tolerance to terror Govt’s commitment: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has restated the Government’s resolve to enforce “zero tolerance to terrorism”...

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has restated the Government’s resolve to enforce “zero tolerance to terrorism” and has stressed the crucial role of different institutions in combating the menace.

Speaking at the ‘Harish Chandra Memorial National Seminar on Terrorism, Law and Development’ on the eve of Law Day here today, he said, “While our Government is willing to talk to any dissatisfied group prepared to abjure violence, it stands firmly committed to enforcing ‘zero tolerance to terrorism’ within the framework of our existing legal system.”

Singh was of the opinion that “certain and swift punishment” 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 “expeditiously” and offenders brought to justice without undue delay.

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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.

“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,” the Prime Minister pointed out and underscored the need for cooperation required from the media and community leaders to ensure that “fringe elements” seeking to disrupt society were identified and isolated.

The Prime Minister’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.