Hyderabad: Describing terrorism as the most dangerous threat and a hydra-headed monster, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday asked police personnel to gear up to meet challenges to internal security.
Addressing the 58th passing out parade at the Sardar Vallabhbhai National Police Academy, he asked policepersons to show courage and determination to overcome innumerable challenges, especially terrorism.
"The most dangerous threat today is terrorism. From an occasional footnote, it has become a hydra-headed monster. There are several strains of terrorism present, and you will need to keep abreast of developments in tackling this great danger," the Prime Minister said
"Today's terrorists are most sophisticated, have transnational linkages and have adequate resources. Both knowledge and determination are required if we are to succeed against these elements," he told the 85 officers who passed out of the academy.
"Economic globalisation and technological development have altered the nature of crime, giving rise to new forms of criminality. Perhaps, even more than external aggression, we need to be concerned about internal security. In some instances there is of course an external dimension to the internal threat."
"Our nation is on the march and is being transformed beyond recognition. Society is changing at a pace never imagined before. This is inevitably giving rise to tensions which are probably inevitable in a poor country trying to modernise," Manmohan Singh added.
Four officers from Bhutan and three from the Maldives as well as eight women are among those who passed out and took their oath of allegiance to the constitution after the prime minister took salute at the colourful parade.
"I hope that the bonds forged during the training here will strengthen the bonds between our nations and police forces," he told the gathering.
He called for improved coordination between states and new modes of cooperation requiring the use of the best technologies and management skills.
"There are going to be innumerable challenges and hurdles that will come your way; but you will have to show the courage, determination, steadfastness of purpose and the necessary resilience to meet those challenges. And all the while, not losing sight of the larger purpose for which we are all working, i.e., to serve the people of India with utmost dedication and commitment," he told the probationers.
The Prime Minister advised police to understand the problems of rural people as they constitute 70 per cent of the country's population and pay special attention to controlling caste based violence and atrocities against weaker sections.
According to Manmohan Singh, the large urban conglomeration had given rise to organised crime as never seen before.
"White collar crime is taking on new dimensions. Sophisticated instrumentalities are available to criminals which need to be countered. This requires knowledge of new disciplines and new ways of tackling such crime."
The Prime Minister said those being deployed in Jammu Kashmir, the northeastern region and states affected by Maoist violence should find the causes of disaffection and alienation in a section of people.
"Understand the reasons for disaffection and alienation and possibly, you will find some answers to your challenges. In the final analysis, see yourself as the guardian of all citizens, including the alienated. Try to bring the alienated back to the path laid down by law of the land," he said.
He asked police to create an atmosphere of security among all citizens. "Increasingly, our older citizens are living lonely lives in cities as a result of nuclear families. You must make special efforts to make them feel secure. Women and children must be protected from harassment, exploitation, ill-treatment and crime."
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Home Secretary VK Duggal, National Security Advisor MK Narayanan, Andhra Pradesh Governor Rameswar Thakur, Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, several central and state ministers were present on the occasion.
After the ceremony at the police academy, the Prime Minister, who was on a whirlwind five-hour tour of the state, left for Kothakota in Mahabubnagar district to lay the foundation stone for the four-lane stretch of the Nagpur-Hyderabad and Hyderabad-Bangalore sections on national highway seven.
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