Govt better prepared to deal with terror acts: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the internal security scenario continues to be a matter of great concern but asserted that the government is better prepared now to deal with any terror threat.

"Internal security of the country has been a great concern. I would not like to say we did not worry about terror acts, (but) we are better prepared to deal with acts of terror and prevent many potential terrorist acts," he said in an interaction with television editors.

Singh said "the government deserves some credit" for various steps being taken to improve the internal security scenario in the country as well as to deal with any possible terror threat.

"In the Northeast, things are getting normalised. Talks are going to begin with ULFA. The ULFA leadership having decided to give up the path violence is a welcome development which will have far-reaching consequences for the growth processes in our Northeastern states," he said.

The Prime Minister said situation in Jammu and Kashmir has also improved considerably after a cycle of violence.

After the Mumbai terror attack, the government had to face all-round criticism for its handling of internal security scenario. The 26/11 attack also cost the then Home Minister Shivraj Patil his job.

However, after P Chidambaram took charge as Home Minister in the aftermath of the worst-ever terror attack in the country, he took a number of steps to strengthen the internal security mechanism, helped the states to modernise their police forces, procure arms and recruit more people.

The Prime Minister had in the past also praised Chidambaram and his team for their good work in the Home Ministry.