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While acknowledging that the internal security scenario continued to be a matter of great concern, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday sounded confident of the government's capabilities and preparedness in dealing with any terror threat.
“The internal security of the country has been a great concern. I would not like to say we did not worry about terror acts, but we are better prepared to deal with acts of terror and prevent many potential terrorist acts,” Dr. Singh said during his interaction with editors of television news channels.
The Prime Minister dwelt upon the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in the northeast, particularly on the government's initiative to hold talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom for the first time in 31 years. However, he did not make any reference to the Left-wing extremism that he has in the past described as “the single gravest challenge to India's internal security.”
‘Welcome development'
“In the northeast, things are getting normalised. Talks are going to begin with the ULFA. The ULFA leadership having decided to give up the path of violence is a welcome development which will have far-reaching consequences for the growth processes in our northeastern States,” Dr. Singh, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, said.
He added that the ULFA leadership, headed by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, had called on him on Monday.
“We have just started talking to the ULFA. They came and called on me. I am very happy [about] what they told me. I assured them that the government of India is absolutely serious about finding an honourable solution to all these issues,” he said.
Replying to a query on whether he would fix a timeline for finding a solution to the problem, Dr. Singh said the process had just started.
“It would have been the greatest happiness for me if we can say that we can complete it immediately. But I know that we are dealing with a difficult problem. It would be wrong on my part to say that right now I can fix a time limit. That will be our effort.”
J&K situation
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said it had improved considerably after a cycle of violence, adding that the people could look forward to “orderly development” and job opportunities for youth.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, after some turbulence, there are signs that we are getting things under control.”
He said a number of committees, set up to deal with various aspects of the development process, were working to chart out the future course of action in the State. “Dr. C. Rangarajan is preparing a report on the employment aspects, and I feel that if that report is implemented, it would bring a fresh ray of hope to the young people in Jammu and Kashmir who are eagerly searching for productive employment opportunities,” he said.
“The internal security of the country has been a great concern. I would not like to say we did not worry about terror acts, but we are better prepared to deal with acts of terror and prevent many potential terrorist acts,” Dr. Singh said during his interaction with editors of television news channels.
The Prime Minister dwelt upon the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in the northeast, particularly on the government's initiative to hold talks with the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom for the first time in 31 years. However, he did not make any reference to the Left-wing extremism that he has in the past described as “the single gravest challenge to India's internal security.”
‘Welcome development'
“In the northeast, things are getting normalised. Talks are going to begin with the ULFA. The ULFA leadership having decided to give up the path of violence is a welcome development which will have far-reaching consequences for the growth processes in our northeastern States,” Dr. Singh, who represents Assam in the Rajya Sabha, said.
He added that the ULFA leadership, headed by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, had called on him on Monday.
“We have just started talking to the ULFA. They came and called on me. I am very happy [about] what they told me. I assured them that the government of India is absolutely serious about finding an honourable solution to all these issues,” he said.
Replying to a query on whether he would fix a timeline for finding a solution to the problem, Dr. Singh said the process had just started.
“It would have been the greatest happiness for me if we can say that we can complete it immediately. But I know that we are dealing with a difficult problem. It would be wrong on my part to say that right now I can fix a time limit. That will be our effort.”
J&K situation
On the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said it had improved considerably after a cycle of violence, adding that the people could look forward to “orderly development” and job opportunities for youth.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, after some turbulence, there are signs that we are getting things under control.”
He said a number of committees, set up to deal with various aspects of the development process, were working to chart out the future course of action in the State. “Dr. C. Rangarajan is preparing a report on the employment aspects, and I feel that if that report is implemented, it would bring a fresh ray of hope to the young people in Jammu and Kashmir who are eagerly searching for productive employment opportunities,” he said.