Single agency should tackle terrorism: Kalam

NEW DELHI: Advocating a national campaign to eliminate terrorism from the country, former President APJ Abdul Kalam has suggested a single agency for gathering and dissemination of intelligence.

Kalam said insurgency is combination of evil minds which leads to destruction. He made the suggestion on the occasion of releasing a book "The Folds of Insurgency" written by Inspector General of Police (Operations) CRPF A P Maheshwari here last night.

"There is an urgent need for good minds to come together," Kalam said. The suggestion is part of a three-pronged approach in the national campaign to eliminate terrorism for which setting up of a single task force for gathering and dissemination of intelligence is needed, he said.

People also need to help the government by being extra vigilant, he said. "It cannot be only the government but people's force which can give a befitting reply to terror groups," Kalam said.

The third and the most important was elimination of poverty especially in border villages and for that the answer lies in 'providing of urban amenities in rural areas' (PURA), he said.

If the living condition of people in rural areas of bordering villages is improved, they can act as a natural barrier against the terror groups, Kalam said.

He also favoured an "out-of-the-box solutions" for tackling militancy and insurgency which otherwise affect the political, administration and functioning of police. "Even families of normal people get affected by this," he added.
"The Folds of Insurgency" is a collection of fictional stories related to insurgency in North East and Kashmir where Maheshwari has served as Inspector General of CRPF.