Pak. not diluting proxy war, says Vajpayee

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. Accusing Pakistan-backed terrorist organisations of sabotaging peace talks in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today said there was no dilution of Islamabad's proxy war.

He also charged Pakistan with stepping up its terror campaign in direct proportion to the mounting desire for peace among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

``Terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of India, engineered by protagonists of terror across the border, is an example of the challenges we face,'' Mr. Vajpayee told the 35th annual conference of the State Police chiefs, heads of Central police organisations and Intelligence Chiefs here.

``The ramifications of the threats we face today are much deeper and wider than ever before. Hence, all agencies of the state, all wings of administration, civil and police, have to pool their resources in a combined fight against crime. The Centre and the States have to work in collaboration, in a spirit of cooperation.''

Stressing the seriousness of the internal security scenario, the Prime Minister said: ``Hostile forces emanating from our neighbourhood have stepped up their subversive activities, seeking to undermine our democratic polity, damage our social fabric and disrupt our economic progress.''

N-E situation worrisome

The Prime Minister also talked about the situation in the North- East which was ``worrisome'' as separatist and terrorist groups, apart from criminals bereft of ideology of any shade, were continuing with violence and extortion which affected development schemes.

``Yet another challenge to our internal security is the scourge of Left extremism. Innocent people in several States continue to fall victim to these perpetrators of violence. We must deal with Left extremist groups with a firm hand to drive home the message that there is no space for violence in a democratic polity,'' he said.

While holding the police responsible for instilling confidence among the people, Mr. Vajpayee said this objective would be best fulfilled if they efficiently discharged their duties in accordance with the laws of the land.

``Not only can we then ensure freedom from fear, but also rapid social and economic development. For, progress is best assured when there is rule of law and social stability.''

Mr. Vajpayee asserted that nation's security ``is an indivisible, single entity'. Taking a holistic view, he added that ``It must be seen as securing the unity and integrity of our nation. Indeed, the very future of a billion people.''

``As the economy globalises, so does crime, at an even faster rate. Sophisticated international crime syndicates mastermind a complex network of political and economic crimes, claiming innocent victims in the pursuit of their diabolical objectives,'' he observed.

Earlier, the Intelligence Bureau Director, Mr. Shyamal Dutta, said that intelligence agencies faced unnecessary criticism for their failures but their success went unnoticed.

Economic globalisation had put multi-nationals on centre stage and the world was fast becoming borderless where trading blocs and market shares were more important.

Mr. Dutta said the emergence of private sector in telecom was adding to the problems of the security and intelligence agencies.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Next     : Second gold for Marion Jones