India shall go to any extent to root out terror: PM

January 03, 2009 13:22 IST
Last Updated: January 03, 2009 13:51 IST

Asserting that government will never compromise with those using gun, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] on Saturday said the government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country but was open to hold dialogue with those lying down arms.


"The growing menace of terrorism and naxalism is a cause of worry. The government will not compromise with terrorism," Dr Singh told media persons in Shillong.

"There were some initial setbacks, but we will overcome them. The government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country," the prime minister said, referring to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai [Images], Delhi [Images] and Assam.


Notwithstanding Islamabad's [Images] rejection of extraditing anyone to India, the prime minister asked Pakistan to hand over 'criminals' responsible for these strikes to face trial here.


He also hoped that the new government in Bangladesh would not allow its territory to be used for terrorist acts against India especially in the North East.


Dr Singh hoped that 'some sense' would prevail on the leadership of Pakistan and it recognises that those behind the 'horrible acts' in Mumbai have to be brought to justice.

"It (Pakistan) has to take action on the demand from all civilised countries that the perpetrators (of Mumbai attacks) will be brought to book. We hope that these criminals will be handed over to us to face trial," he said.


Asked whether the Centre was open to talks with the banned ULFA, he said, "All insurgent groups must recognise that their only course open to them is to lay down arms. We will never compromise with those who believe in use of gun to get solution to their real or imaginary problems."


He said insurgents and terrorists must recognise that gun is no solution to get their demands met.

"Once they lay down arms as Indian citizens, we are willing to talk to anybody," he said.