New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday asserted the Government's commitment to zero tolerance of terrorism within the framework of laws.

At the same time, no community or religion should be blamed for irresponsible and violent acts of a few individuals, he said inaugurating a national seminar on `Law, Terrorism and Development,' organised here jointly by the Indian Council of Jurists, the All-India Bar Association and the India Legal Information Institute.

Dr. Singh explained the steps taken for improving intelligence collection and sharing, and for better coordination among various security agencies.

"We also need to use relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to cut off flow of funds to terrorists. We have to pursue investigation and prosecution of such cases in a professional and scientific manner."

Voicing concern over different forms of terrorism, he said: "It subverts the economic and financial environment for growth and deprives ordinary people of their basic needs and even livelihood. It also necessitates enhanced military and security expenditure."

Extreme concern

The Prime Minister said: "Having large financial and material resources at their disposal, terrorist groups are able to use modern communication system and state-of-the-art technology to pursue their agenda. A matter of extreme concern is their linkage with organised crimes like drug trafficking, gun-running and money laundering. Terrorism has also emerged as one of the most serious threats to international peace."

He urged leaders of all communities to ensure that fringe elements seeking to disrupt society were identified, isolated and, wherever possible, encouraged to join the national mainstream.

Awards distributed

Dr. Singh distributed the Law Day awards to Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj, the former Chief Justice of India R.C. Lahoti, Attorney General Milon K. Banerjee, Uttar Pradesh Advocate General S.M.A. Kazmi and advocates M.R. Prasanna, A. Thiyagarajan, Ravi Singhania, Amarjit Singh Chandhiok, Satish Agarwala and Nipun Gupta.

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