PM warns of attempts to disrupt polls

There may be attempts to disrupt the 2014 Lok Sabha and the ongoing assembly elections and security forces need to be careful and measured in their response to such incidents, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Saturday.

Resurgence of terrorist groups, particularly Lashkar-e-Taiba, and increased infiltration attempts call for heightened vigil and coordination by the security forces, Manmohan Singh said in his address at a conference of state police chiefs.

"There is also a likelihood of attempts to disrupt the forthcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. The security forces also need to be careful and measured in their response to militant attacks as well as law and order disturbances," he said.

This year, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a few brazen attacks on security forces, he said.

"The situation along the International Border and the Line of Control, particularly in Poonch district of Jammu region, has remained volatile with several ceasefire violations," he said.

On the four terror attacks in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya and Patna so far, Manmohan Singh said: "The disclosures made by the arrested members of the terrorist outfits confirm our apprehensions that the Indian hinterland remains an active area of operation for these outfits."

"Therefore, we need to ensure that our security apparatus and intelligence sharing platforms such as the multi-agency centre constantly hone their skills to stay ahead of the nefarious designs of these terrorist outfits," he said.

"However, while dealing with terror cases, care needs to be taken that security forces remain scrupulously bipartisan so that our people do not lose faith in the professionalism of investigative agencies and the secular nature of our polity," he added.