Singh seeks task force to combat terrorism

New Delhi: With terror bombings mounting across the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday recommended a task force under National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan to address "Left-wing extremism, terrorism and insurgency", and urged the police to avoid stereotypes that might enlarge "fault lines in our society".

Addressing the director generals of police (DGPs) and inspector generals of police (IGPs) at their annual conference here, Singh said it was imperative to improve the intelligence machinery and undertake police reforms.

The task force under Narayanan, with suitable representation from central and state agencies, should draw a roadmap within 100 days to develop an integrated capability to address emerging terror challenges, Singh said.

He pointed out that the country could not afford to have a "repetition of the kind of terrorist attacks" as witnessed in recent months.

"I only wish to emphasise here that time is not on our side. We cannot afford a repetition of the kind of terrorist attacks that have recently taken place in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Guwahati and some other urban centres," Singh said.

Noting that the technology of terror has become miniaturised and terrorists have the advantage of surprise, the prime minister said a "networked security architecture" was essential as "risks are often unforeseen" and "threats are often hidden".

Police: 'Avoid stereotypes'

Restoring the faith of the people is a major challenge before the police force, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said yesterday while exhorting police officers to avoid stereotypes that might enlarge "fault lines in our society".

Stressing that the police must become more professional, fair and improve its image among people, the prime minister said: "A major challenge before the police will be restoring the faith of the people - specially those belonging to religious and ethnic minorities and the weaker sections - in the impartiality and effectiveness of the police."