NIC meet: PM highlights counter terror mechanism

While addressing the 15th National Integration Council Meeting here in the national capital on Saturday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reiterated his government's commitment in dealing with issues such as terrorism and naxalism. The National Integration Council (NIC) meet discusses and reviews all issues pertaining to national security and integration. It also makes recommendations to address issues of vital importance that possesses challenge to the constitutional values of India. Terrorism and Left Wing Extremism constitute two major challenges that together act as roadblocks to nation's progress. PM Singh pointed out the recent terror attack in New Delhi on 07 September, while stressing upon the need to stamp out any form of terror elements existing in a civilized society. "No civilized society can tolerate or endorse loss of innocent lives in the pursuit of any ideology. This Council must unequivocally send out a message that pursuit of violence cannot be justified under any circumstance and reaffirm our collective resolve to fight the menace of terrorism in all its manifestations with all the means at our disposal," he added. One more important aspect that today attracts stern criticism from various quarters is our intelligence agencies and our inability in dealing terror activities more effectively. Dr. Singh highlighted the objectives of multi intelligence sharing center National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and better coordination between state and central agencies in reaching out to actionable points. Nevertheless, he underlined the need to strengthen investigating agencies and their intelligence gathering abilities. In addition, PM Singh also talked about various positive steps in reaching out possible political resolutions in several naxalism-affected regions. He, however, linked naxalism to lack of development, and hence the need for an inclusive growth in addressing development issues of backward areas. He further addressed that security and welfare is a joint endeavour of the Center and States and hence they should work together. In a positive note, PM Singh said, "The tripartite agreement for setting up the Gorkhaland Territorial Authority and several Suspension of Operations agreements in the North-East have helped bring peace and helped bridge a divide in perceptions. Our interlocutors for Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East are exploring ways of finding political solutions and creating a more durable peace for a stronger India." On the development front, he talked about several government-funded initiatives and his commitments towards the benefits of the needy. Minority development programs and the Forest Rights Act for equal treatment of the forest dwellers, too, found a mention in his address. In the end he also highlighted the role of media as increasingly important and constructive in promoting peace and harmony in our society.