The Hindu : Front Page : Tackle extremism with compassion: Patil

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Tuesday, Jul 19, 2005

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Tackle extremism with compassion: Patil

Staff Reporter

Centre to help in modernising armed forces

THRISSUR: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has appealed to the armed forces to tackle extremism with compassion and determination and not by the use of force alone.

Addressing the sixth batch of women police constables undergoing training at the Kerala Police Academy here on Monday, the Minister said the Centre would extend all support for modernisation of the armed forces by providing latest equipment, weapons, communication facilities and vehicles. But these equipment alone would not enable the armed forces to win the war against extremism. Those who had to carry out this duty had to disciplined, he said.

Mr. Patil said that force should be used only when it was absolutely necessary and not just because it was available.

It should be kept in mind that about 95 per cent of the people of the country were peace-lovers and that only less than five per cent indulged in violence. Violence could be curbed only if peace-loving people were united against extremist elements. This would be possible only if the conditions which made people restive were understood with compassion, the Minister said.

Mr. Patil said that the Government was committed to addressing unemployment and other socio-economic problems to woo people away from extremist and terrorist elements.

The Minister said that terrorism was on the wane in most parts of the country. In Jammu and Kashmir, nearly 60 per cent of infiltration had been sealed and there had been a decline of 40 per cent in casualties in terrorist violence. But, this did not mean that the war against terrorism had been won, he said.

Earlier, talking to reporters after offering prayers at Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur, and the Home Minister said the Centre had issued directives to the States to strengthen security at places of worship in the wake of the terrorist attack in Ayodhya. He said the Centre was ready to extend all help to the States for that.

Mr. Patil said the Government was satisfied with the progress of investigations in the Ayodhya attack case. On Pakistan's demand for a probe to find out the veracity of the alleged Lashkar link, the Home Minister said: "I do not know what Pakistan wants, but we are doing what we should be doing."

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