PM calls on Opposition not to politicise terror acts

TIME TO ACT: Manmohan said no one talks about the role that intelligence agencies play when attacks are prevented.

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Keywords: BJP, Congress

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called upon all political parties to back the creation of a federal crime agency to fight terrorism.

Addressing a press conference at Bagdogra in Assam on Saturday on his return from the two-day visit to Bhutan, the PM said terror incidents like the Jaipur serial bomb blasts should not become an issue of politicking and that parties like the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should think together on how the problem could be solved.

"It is not a matter that should divide political parties. Congress, BJP all have obligation on their part to tackle the issue. We have to put our heads together," Manmohan said.

But he also quickly added that the proposal could not be implemented, as there was "reluctance" on part of states to "surrender their powers". Realising that his statements could be seen as targeting states ruled by Opposition, he clarified that he was not blaming the states but the matter had to be looked into.

Asked about the letter written to him by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi seeking a conference with chief ministers to discuss the issue of terrorism, Singh said he had already had several such meetings on internal security, the recent one being on Naxalism.

Commenting on the May 13 Jaipur blasts that left 64 people dead, he refused to blame the intelligence agencies, saying terrorists "can surprise us" and that is the "reality".

In the aftermath of Jaipur blasts, BJP has accused the government of being soft on terrorism.

On accusations that the Jaipur blasts were a consequence of intelligence failure, he said, "terrorist attacks can surprise us. We have to realise that reality."

He said no one talks about the role that intelligence apparatus plays when attacks are prevented but such questions are raised only when such incidents happen.

"I would not say that the intelligence apparatus has weakened," Singh said.

He also assured that India's nuclear programme would be protected and hoped that "good sense" would prevail among the detractors of the deal.

With the government drawing flak over unbridled inflation, the Prime Minister said he expected moderation in prices in the next few weeks.