By IANS,
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the terrorists who attacked Mumbai killing over 100 people were “based outside the country” and warned that India will no more allow terrorists to stage attacks with impunity.
“It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with a single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital of the country,” the prime minister said in his address to the nation.
“We are not prepared to countenance a situation in which the safety and security of our citizens can be violated with impunity by terrorists,” he added.
“We will take up strongly with our neighbours that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated and that there would be a cost if suitable measures are not taken by them.”
Manmohan Singh’s comments came a day after terrorists sneaked into Mumbai by boat and attacked several key targets including five star hotels Oberoi Trident as well as Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.
“The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners,” he said. But he did not name any country.
The prime minister said his government would take “the strongest possible measures to ensure that there is no repetition of such terrorist acts.
“We are determined to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.
“Instruments like the National Security Act will be employed to deal with situations of this kind. Existing laws will be tightened to ensure that there are no loopholes available to terrorists to escape the clutches of the law. Most importantly, it is essential to immediately set up a Federal Investigation Agency to go into terrorist crimes of this kind and ensure that the guilty are brought to book.
“We will take a number of measures to strengthen the hands of our police and intelligence authorities. We will curb the flow of funds to suspect organisations. We will restrict the entry of suspects into the country.
“We will go after these individuals and organisations and make sure that every perpetrator, organiser and supporter of terror, whatever his affiliation or religion may be, pays a heavy price for these cowardly and horrific acts against our people.”
Calling the terrorist strike “dastardly”, he said: “I strongly condemn these acts of senseless violence against innocent people, including guests from foreign countries. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those injured.”
He said the government would take all necessary measures to look after the well being of the affected families, including medical treatment of the injured.
“I salute the courage and patriotism of the police officers, including the chief of (Maharashtra’s) Anti-Terror(ism) Squad, Hemant Karkare, and men who have laid down their lives fighting these terrorists.
“I assure the country that we will attend in an urgent and serious manner to police reform so that the law and order authorities can work unitedly, effectively and in a determined manner to tackle such threats to national integrity.
“In this hour of tragedy, I appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony so that the enemies of our country do not succeed in their nefarious designs. All concerned authorities are on alert and will deal sternly with any attempts to disturb public order.
“I am confident the people of India will rise unitedly to face this grave challenge to the nation’s security and integrity.”