Terrorism wont stop us, asserts Manmohan

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that The Mumbai terrorist attacks were an attack on India’s ambitions to emerge as an economic power. India would not accept a situation where terrorism is used as an instrument to cripple India’s economy or the values it stands for.

The Prime Minister referred to the international security environment, and said that threats such as terrorism and piracy required a well thought out strategy. India sought peace and stability in its neighbourhood.

The situation was however worrisome. Non-state actors were practicing terrorism aided and abetted by state establishments, he said addressing the Conference of Indian Heads of Missions organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi yesterday.

Dr Singh’s remarks assume significance in view of the recent Mumbai terror attacks.

Mumbai attacks: Do something fast, PM tells Maha CM

The Prime Minister has asked the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, who called on him in New Delhi Saturday to take all steps to restore the people’s faith in the law and order machinery in view of the terror attacks on Mumbai

Dr. Manmohan Singh said that Mumbai is the country’s financial capital and more over, 45 per cent of the country’s total industrial production comes from Maharashtra . Therefore, it was all the more important that the people’s confidence is restored quickly. He directed that the State Intelligence machinery should be strengthened.

Ashok Chavan informed the Prime Minister of the various actions already underway to fight terrorism including setting up of a State Security Council on the lines of the National Security Council, training of personnel, Police Reforms etc. which a Group of Ministers under the Chairmanship of the Maharashtra Chief Minister would oversee.

The Coast Guard would also be strengthened with additional speed boats and state of the art weapons. The Prime Minister assured that special attention would be accorded to Maharashtra with speedy clearance of their proposals by Central Ministries. The Chief Minister also apprised the Prime Minister of the development issues which are the priority of the State Government including the Mumbai Metro, new Mumbai Airport , Mithi River and coal supply to power plants.