NEW DELHI, 26 November 2006 — Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday said his government was committed to enforcing “zero tolerance of terrorism.”
“Terrorists have no religion or faith. They do not belong to any community. No community or religion can and should be blamed for irresponsible and violent acts of a few individuals of that community or religion. Terrorists have to be dealt with as terrorists per se,” the prime minister said. He was speaking at Harish Chandra Memorial National Seminar on “Terrorism, Law and Development.”
Describing any threat to peace as a stumbling block for sustained development, he said: “In this particular context, terrorism poses today a serious danger to the economic stability of any civilized society.”
He also made it clear that while dealing with terrorism, security forces should make every effort to ensure that innocent citizens are neither harmed nor subjected to harassment.
“While our government is willing to talk to any disaffected group prepared to abjure violence, it stands firmly committed to enforcing zero tolerance of terrorism within the framework of our existing legal system,” Manmohan said.
He said apart from terrorism, India also faced the threat of insurgency and extremism in some parts. “Here too, our response has to be clear and purposive. While pursuing development and empowering all sections of our society, we must also ensure that law and order is maintained and strengthened. No cause, real or imaginary, can ever justify pursuit of violence.”
Manmohan said the government had taken many steps to improve intelligence collection and intelligence sharing and for better coordination between various security agencies. “We also need to use relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to cut off the flow of funds to terrorist groups,” he said.
“We also need to streamline our investigation and prosecution machinery to apprehend culprits involved in acts of terrors. We have to pursue investigation and prosecution of such cases in a professional and scientific manner.”
He said judiciary at different levels also had to ensure that such cases were tried expeditiously and offenders brought to justice without delay. “Certain and swift punishment is often effective deterrent to potential wrongdoers,” he said.
The prime minister urged leaders of all communities to ensure that the fringe elements “seeking to disrupt our society are identified, isolated and, wherever possible, encouraged to join the national mainstream.”
Manmohan paid tributes to Indians for standing united despite repeated terrorist attacks. “Our citizens have stood firm and united against attempts to disturb communal harmony. I have unwavering faith in the innate religiosity, secularism and patriotism of all our people.”
The prime minister said that with large financial and material resources at their disposal, terrorist groups are today able to use modern communication systems and state-of-the-art technology to pursue their agenda.
“They have become far more sophisticated, better networked and also highly motivated in carrying out their nefarious designs. A matter of extreme concern is also their linkage with organized crime, like drug trafficking, gun-running, counterfeit currency and money laundering.
“Terrorism therefore has emerged as one of the most serious threats to international peace as well... Terrorism is essentially the outcome of the pursuit of extremism and intolerance.”
The prime minister presented National Law Day Awards 2006 to eminent jurists and also launched a website (www.indii.org) on the occasion. He was also presented a copy of the Indian constitution to mark the event.
— Additional input from Indo Asian News Service
