Technology vital in fighting terror: PM tells IPS probationers

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) After admitting in parliament that the Mumbai terror attacks had highlighted gaps in India's preparedness to deal with such assaults, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday identified technology as a key contributor to effectively meet such future challenges.

'This must be combined with a better understanding of scientific and human behaviour and the underlying social and economic conditions of the population,' the prime minister said while addressing Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers at his residence.

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'It is with this combined knowledge that the police can be equal to the challenges it faces.'

During his address, Manmohan Singh said recent events at Mumbai had created a new consensus to strengthen India's security setup.

'This challenge can be converted in an opportunity to make the internal security set up more effective by streamlining the systems involving intelligence collection, investigation and crime,' he said.

While exhorting the IPS probationers to make development inclusive and carry all sections of society together, Manmohan Singh also pointed to terrorism, left-wing extremism and insurgency in the north-east as the underlying reasons which impaired the pace of development.

'If the gains of progress are not equitably distributed, it leads to tension in the body politic and this discontent spills over into law and order problems. It is, therefore, the duty of the state to ensure that the fruits of development are equitable.'

Elaborating on this issue, the prime minister identified growing urbanization as a critical area within which if the gains of industrialization are not equitable, organized crime takes root.

'To address the problems in metropolitan areas the police officers must have a sound knowledge and understanding of the rural environment,' he said.