Manmohan Singh and Pranab Mukherjee at the all-party meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. — AFP |
New Delhi, November 30
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced a slew measures to declare the positive intent of his government in fighting terror besides sharing the grief and anger of the nation. He assured all help to the survivors.
At an all-party meeting here this evening, the PM said the national security guards would have four more hubs for rapid deployment while maritime security would be stepped up in big way. Thirdly, a new federal agency would be set up.
Clearly much more needed to be done and we were determined to take all necessary measures to overhaul the system, said the Prime Minister while presenting what was seen as a “tough stance” the ruling UPA combine to tackle the problem head on.
“We are further strengthening maritime and air security for which measures have been initiated. This will involve the Navy, the Coast Guard and the coastal police, as well as the Air Force and the civil aviation ministry,” the Prime Minister said.
The anti-terrorist forces of the country will be further strengthened and streamlined. The National Security Guard, which is the principal anti-terrorist force of the country, will be given additional facilities and the size of the force is being augmented.
Steps have also been initiated to establish another 4
NSG-hubs in different parts of the country. The move of the PM comes after it was criticised that it took the NSG some 9 hours to reach Mumbai. The first lot of NSG commando’s were flown from Delhi in an IL-76 aircraft of a counter spying agency and not an IAF one as reported in a section of the media. The IAF plane arrived only the next morning.
Additionally, the special forces at the disposal of the Centre would be appropriately utilised in counter-insurgency operations.
The PM, taking a que from the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, has said legal steps were being taken to set-up of a federal investigating agency.
Expressing grief at the attacks and loss of lives, the PM assured, “We will do all we can to alleviate their suffering. I give you my solemn assurance that we will look after the needs of those who survive this horrible tragedy.”
He did not forget to salute the bravery of the security forces, who fought the terrorists in exceptionally difficult circumstances. They tried their utmost to save innocent lives at great personal risk. 20 officers and men made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives. The entire nation owed a debt of gratitude to these men that we can never repay, the PM added.
This attack was different. It was an attack by highly trained and well-armed terrorists targeting our largest city.
The PM appealed to the political parties in the aftermath of this national tragedy, saying we must rise above narrow political considerations and stand united. We should work together in the interest of the country at this critical juncture.
