India's national security still uncertain: PM Manmohan Singh

Noting that the security environment in the country "continues to be uncertain", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said there were reports of cross-border camps for terrorists being reactivated.

He said the recent terror attacks in Mumbai and Delhi "are grim reminders of the challenges posed by terrorism to our national security. Over the last year, Left-wing extremism has also claimed the lives of many innocent persons and police personnel.

"There are reports of cross-border camps for terrorists being reactivated, and of attempts to induct fresh batches of militants into the country," Singh said in his speech at the three-day Directors General and Inspectors General conference organised by the Intelligence Bureau.

While expressing satisfaction over the peaceful summer in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister said while a process of broad-based consultation has been initiated to find an honourable settlement, "there is no room for complacency on the security front in the state".

Attempts of infiltration and induction of new cadre were "foiled through smooth and coordinated functioning of all security agencies," he said.

"We have initiated a process of broad-based consultation to find a way forward in Jammu and Kashmir. We need to give the processes of dialogue and democracy a chance to secure a just and honourable settlement that meets the aspirations of all sections of the people," he said.

"Our social fabric continues to be targeted by organised terrorism, abetted by misguided zeal and false propaganda among youth and marginalised sections of society. We have to contend with Left-wing militancy, parochial and chauvinistic movements, and tensions cause by socio-economic imbalances and iniquities and rapid urbanisation," the prime minister said.

He said these were difficult and challenging times for the police and it should work within the bounds of democratic framework in which human rights are scrupulously respected and upheld while dealing with these challenges.

In an apparent reference to the recent Anna Hazare led-movement against corruption, the prime minister said, "The country recently witnessed an outpouring of public anger against corruption."

"A life in the service of the people is a noble calling, particularly so far those charged with the responsibility of securing life and liberty. People who enlist themselves for such a task must take pride in their ability to honestly discharge their duties," he said.

Complimenting the Jammu and Kashmir police for improving capabilities for controlling demonstrations, Singh said, "Crowd control techniques in a democracy where people vigorously vent their opinions have to strike a fine balance between the requirement to maintain law and order and the imperative of using minimum, non-lethal force".

He said the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack showed that the terrorists use the latest technologies for communication and real time information sharing.

"We have to remain one step ahead of our adversaries," he said expressing hope that NATGRID would enable seamless retrieval and dissemination of data critical to the task of anticipating and pre-empting terrorist attack.