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Intellectual strength will curb terrorism: Advani

Mumbai Jan. 6. There is need for the scientific community and law-enforcing agencies to put together their intellectual strength to counter terrorism, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, said today.

In today's world, ``sharirik shakti'' (muscle power), ``sainik shakti'' (defence power) and ``arthik shakti'' (financial power) will not curb terrorism, he said addressing the 14th All India Forensic Science Conference here.

``It is buddhibal (intellectual power) which will curb terrorism,'' he said, adding terrorists were also using powerful means as was demonstrated in September 11 attacks in the U.S.

``If we want to counter the capability of the criminals and terrorists who were using hi-tech weapons, the society should come together to counter them by using all their intellectual capabilities with self-confidence.''

The internal and external security today were interlinked and, therefore, it was important for the scientific community and law-enforcing agencies to put together their intellectual strength to counter terrorism in order to give security to common man and bring about peaceful development, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

For this, the Centre and States had to work together, Mr. Advani said, adding the Centre had provided Rs. 1000 crore to States for modernisation of police force and forensic labs.

Even before the WTC attack, India had been talking to the U.S. about curbing terrorism and it was not just raising the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

``We were emphasising only on curbing terrorism''. — PTI

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