ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

Punjab DGP rules out rebirth of terrorism

Punjab's new director general of police Sarabjit Singh has ruled out the possibility of organised terrorism "cropping-up as a result of the current political crisis" in the state, but at the same time did not dismiss "an odd terrorist strike".

He said after experiencing the violent phase that the state passed through, no one would be willing to patronise a terrorist. For organised terrorism to take root, it requires patronisation and this is absent in Punjab now, he added.

"But you cannot stop an odd terrorist strike given the motivation level of the person assigned for the job," he added.

Sarabjit Singh said alertness and vigil of the police force would be his priorities to prevent even the odd terrorist strike. People should no longer fear terrorism as "we are not as vulnerable on the terrorist front as had been made out to be," he added.

Referring to the terrorism of the 'eighties and early 'nineties, the DGP said in those days the terrorist outfits were organised and had the ability and fire power to strike. But that organisational structure was lacking now and there were very few left in their (terrorist) ranks, he added.

Replying to a question, the police chief said he was concerned about non-resident Indians living abroad as they are more exposed to the propaganda of Western-based Punjab terrorist organisations, which have been pumping in money to finance the militant outfits. The Internet was being used for anti-India propaganda and this had to be countered, he said while adding that he would be laying special emphasis on this particular aspect.

Regarding his other priorities, Sarabjit Singh said besides prevention and detection of normal crime, he would concentrate on modernising the police. ''As we are moving into 21st century we have to operate the latest gadgetry and equipment like computers'', he added.

The new DGP would also lay emphasis on training to make policemen more responsive towards problems of the public. Acknowledging the fact that policemen at the lower level often shunned responsibility towards the public, Singh said it should be remembered that a majority of them were recruited when terrorism was at its peak and only received training in the handling of weapons and their duties towards the public took a back seat.

He said he would continue with the police-public meetings which his predecessors had introduced.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report