Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the internal security scenario continues to be a matter of great concern but asserted that the government is better prepared now to deal with any terror threat. “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,” he said in an interaction with television editors.
Dr Singh also said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is under control and people of the state can look forward to “orderly development” and job opportunities for the youths in the near future. On the security situation in the Northeast, he said that “things are getting normalised” and pointed out that the Ulfa leadership has decided to give up “the path of violence” and begin peace talks with the government. Dr Singh, however, said he could not fix a timeline for the peace talks with Ulfa.
Dr Singh said “the government deserves some credit” for various steps being taken to improve the internal security scenario in the country as well as to deal with any possible terror threat. “In Jammu and Kashmir, after some turbulence, there are signs that we are getting things are under control and that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can look forward to orderly development of development processes,” he said.
Dr Singh said a number of committees, set up to deal with various aspects of development process, were working to chart out the future course of action. “(Renowned economist) Dr C. Rangarajan is preparing a report on the employment aspects and I do 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.
“In the Northeast, things are getting normalised. Talks are going to begin with Ulfa. The Ulfa leadership having decided to give up the path violence is a welcome development which will have far-reaching consequences for the growth processes in our north-eastern states,” he said.