Rajnath Singh hits out at Pakistan, asks is ISI a non-state actor

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday hit out at Pakistan on Saturday for claiming that there are non-state actors behind acts of terrorism and asked if ISI was also a non-state actor.

"Pakistan claims that there are non-state actors behind such incidents (of terrorism), I would like to ask is ISI also non-state actor?" he asked.

He also said that India cannot take Al-Qaeda's threat to turn the country into an Islamic state lightly and added that the issue should be considered as a challenge.

"There are some misguided youth who are getting attracted to join organisations like the ISIS. We are concerned about the youngsters who are getting drawn to IS. We cannot take Al-Qaeda's threat of turning India into an Islamic country lightly and should consider it a challenge," Singh said at the DGPs, IGPs conference in Guwahati.

He further stressed on the need for infrastructural development in the Northeast.

"There is a lack of infrastructure development in the Northeast. I assure you that we are committed towards a comprehensive development of this region," Singh said.

Singh also said that incidents of violence have been reduced in the Maoist inflicted states. "We want the leadership to be handed over to some of our very capable District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police in these areas," he added.

Furthermore, the union home minister said that the government has sanctioned a sum of 50 crores for the construction of a national police memorial in Delhi.

"The role of our police forces and the intelligence agencies has been crucial in ensuring security to our nation. I salute and pay my tributes to all the jawans who were martyred. I pay homage to all those police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. We have also decided to sanction a sum of rupees 50 crores for the construction of national police memorial in Delhi," said Rajnath.

He also congratulated the West Bengal police for being able to bust a terrorist operation in the state.

"A terrorist network has been busted in West Bengal; I congratulate the West Bengal police and NIA who are playing an important role in exposing the network. On the basis of the capability of the security forces, I can say that we are ready to face any kind of challenge," he added.

Earlier today, Singh was given Guard of Honour after he arrived to attend the conference. CBI chief Ranjit Sinha was also present on the occasion.