Reiterating his Sri Lankan counterpart President Mahinda Rajapaksa's observations on terrorism, Indian Premier Manmohan Singh asserted that "the use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is no longer acceptable", adding there should be "no double standards in the global fight against terrorism as there are no good or bad terrorists", yesterday (Dec 11) replying to the security debate at the Lok Sabha, in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attack.
"The infrastructure of terrorism has to be dismantled permanently. The political will of the international community must be translated into concrete and sustained action on the ground. It is time for the international community to squarely confront the challenge of terrorism," the Indian Premier further stressed.
Earlier, President Mahinda Rajapaksa made similar observations during the keynote address delivered at the opening session of the 15th SAARC Summit on 02nd August in Colombo. - "Terrorism anywhere is terrorism and there are no good terrorists or bad terrorists", he emphasized.
"You can't have two different attitudes towards terrorism" President Rajapaksa was also quoted as saying during an official visit made to the United Kingdom, this June. "I don't agree that there are good terrorists and bad terrorists. There is only one kind of terrorist", the President further asserted replying to questions raised by international media on the ground operations against the LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, admitting that the Mumbai tragedy had highlighted gaps in the preparedness to deal with terrorists attacks, Indian Prime Minister Singh urged the necessity to equip more effectively to deal with such unprecedented threats and challenges against India's integrity and unity.
Making the concluding remarks to his address, Prime Minster Singh said, "I wish to say that it is in times of adversity that the true mettle of a nation is tested. We must remain calm and be resolute. We should stand firm as one nation and one people to meet this challenge posed by terrorism.
"We will give a fitting rebuff to our enemies. The idea of India as a functioning democracy and a pluralistic society is at stake. This is a time for national unity and I seek your cooperation. Truth and righteousness are on our side and together we shall prevail".
Tamil Nadu worries of possible LTTE infiltration:
The need for stronger measures to protect the Indian coastline was also highlighted during the debate, as Premier Singh conceded, "strengthening maritime security against asymmetric threats from the sea, as a timely need".
The Indian Navy, coastal guard and Police have put-on special security and protective arrangements in place for all major ports and sensitive installations in the vicinity of India's shoreline, Indian news agencies reported.
Meanwhile, according to same news sources, worries have triggered in Tamil Nadu concerning possible LTTE terrorist infiltration in the Eastern shores. The Indian Navy is concerned over the arrival of empty boats, some with bullet marks, off Rameswaram coast recently, Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Varma, Vishakapatinam, In-Charge of the Eastern Naval Command was quoted saying with print and electronic media today (Dec 12).
"This cannot be taken lightly. It is for the state police and the Centre to find out reasons for the arrival of these boats," he had told reporters.
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu police in a press release yesterday (Thursday) said that "thorough investigations" revealed that the boats had apparently drifted from Sri Lanka due to the recent cyclone.
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