Govt to pursue 'zero-tolerance' towards terrorism: Patil

Internal security will remain the thrust area of the government with "zero-tolerance" towards terrorism and will tackle it in a "time-bound" manner, President Pratibha Patil said today.      

"Government has already prepared a detailed plan to address internal security challenges to be implemented in a time-bound manner," Patil said while addressing the joint sitting of Parliament.       

Outlining government's approach towards dealing with security issues, the President said a National Counter- Terrorism Centre will be established to take pro-active measures to combat the menace.       

"Special Forces and Quick Response Teams will be raised and deployed in vulnerable areas," she said.       

To ensure effective intelligence sharing, the Multi-Agency Centre will be strengthened and its subsidiaries will be activated in all states.     

Patil said the National Investigation Agency has become operational and it will be empowered to handle terror-related cases.     

"Central and State police forces and intelligence agencies will be expanded and fully equipped with the best technology," she said.     

The President said utmost vigil in the area of internal security and policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism, from whatever source it originates, will be pursued.

Patil said enhanced information and intelligence sharing on a real time basis, would be made possible by the creation of a net-centric information command structure.      

"My Government will actively pursue police reform and in order to ensure the active participation of the citizenry in internal security, community policing will be promoted," she said.      

The President said the Government will continue to constructively engage with all groups that abjure violence in the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.