PM’s remarks on terror threat warrants serious attention

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has made an absolutely appropriate remarks on the security scenario in the country when he said while addressing the Chief Ministers’ Conference on internal security that there was credible information that terrorists in Pakistan are planning to carry out Mumbai type attacks on India. His remarks are in contrast to the conciliatory approach he adopted with Pakistan by stating that he is ready to walk more than half for the friendly relations with Pakistan that was amply reflected the Sharm-el-Sheikh Joint Statement issued by him and his counterpart Pakistan Prime Minister Yusouf Raja Gilani.PM has rightly said that there was need for extra vigilance because the threat from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism extends far beyond the confines of Jammu and Kashmir and all parts of the country. He has also rightly alerted the country about the pervasive threat. After facing all round criticism for the country conceded a little more than Pakistan in the Sharm-el-Sheikh Joint Statement in which we agreed to delink terror from peace dialogue while the crux of the problem of the country is cross-border terrorism, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is trying to adopt tough posture in regard to terror. It is also correct that there is no other way than talks to deal with Pakistan. But the impression has gone out all over the country that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh compromised with the security of the country. That is why in order to set the matter in right perspective, he has made the right remarks on terror threat from across the border. The notice of alert against terror design being plotted is given by none other than the Prime Minister of India. So it can not be incorrect or misleading. While Pakistan reacted to PM’s remark by describing it as uncalled for because it refered to the Sharm-el-Sheikh Joint Statement in which it was said that any information about terror attacks would be shared with Pakistan and vice-versa.But PM’s remark about terror threat to the country is not out of place given the increasing infiltration from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir these days. The situation demands that security machinery is always tightened to deal with any eventuality at any point of time. There must be full proof arrangement of security and the action against terror must not be linked with any short of dialogue. It must be crushed as and when it raises its heads.