The series of bomb blasts in Jaipur have exposed United Progressive Alliance government's steps to curb terrorism in the country, according to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday, Modi expressed deep anguish and pain at the loss of lives in the terror attacks, and charged the UPA government of adopting double standards.
According to Modi, when terror attacks occur in states ruled by UPA's allies, the Union government expresses serious concern. However, in the case of states ruled by National Democratic Alliance partners, there is a usual knee-jerk reaction.
It is said that states were forewarned about possible terror attacks on the basis of intelligence reports, he said, adding that mostly, it becomes more of a political statement.
'Central intelligence agencies send routine messages forewarning states and feel satisfied that such events were anticipated and intelligence wing was working on it. Central government agencies' reports are more like weather reports, which are generally vague in nature,' the Gujarat chief minister wrote.
'If intelligence collection is effective and accurate, there can be pre-emptive strikes against terrorist groups rather than resorting to investigations after the terrorist attack. There has to be a national consensus for a zero-tolerance against terrorism and necessary political will to fight terrorism,' he added.
Dr Singh must immediately convene a meeting to discuss internal security, Modi said, adding that all chief ministers should be called to discuss imminent security issues arising from the terrorist attacks in Jaipur.
'The government has been urged many a time to strengthen legal provisions to fight terrorism. The existing law of POTA has been repealed without making adequate provisions to deal with terrorist threats. States have been rendered helpless without proper legal backing to deal with such situations. While many nations world over strengthened their anti-terror laws after the 9/11 incident, our country has taken retrograde steps by abolishing POTA,' Modi said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party leader claimed the central government was 'sitting over the Gujarat Control of Organized Crime (GUJCOC) Bill' even though anti-terror laws like MCOCA existed in states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
'Central government has been deliberately avoiding the approval of anti-terror laws passed by Gujarat and Rajasthan governments. This clearly indicates the lack of political commitment on the part of the Centre in fighting terrorism and its tendency to view the state government's proposal on political considerations,' he said.
'At present, terrorism cases are tried under ordinary legal regime, which is inadequate to have a deterrent effect. Even Tuesday's incident will have to be tried only under ordinary laws. Terrorist activities being a closed network activity, unless an insider communication or confession is received, the present legal regime becomes ineffective in punishing the culprits. There is also need to make provisions that confessions made to senior police officers should be taken as evidence in such terrorism cases. On the whole, there is a need to have effective legal provisions to fight terrorist activities tooth and nail.'
Modi also stressed on the need for modernisation of police and intelligence machinery for prompt action against terrorism.'There has been a long standing demand that just like IAS and IPS cadres, there should be Indian Intelligence Service so that professionalism is inducted into the intelligence wing, which will help the country on a long term basis,' he added.
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