New Delhi: The Government today (Nov 3, 2004) said it would soon bring in a model comprehensive law to tackle the communal violence in the country and also asked various State police and intelligence agencies to give inputs for that.

"The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government is determined to bring in a model comprehensive law to tackle the menace of communal violence," Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said in his inaugural speech at the 39th conference of Directors General of Police being organised by the Intelligence Bureau in New Delhi.

He said though the communal situation in the country had been by-and-large peaceful for last one year but a law was needed to act as a deterrent against perpetrators of violence.

"We will be happy to receive valuable suggestions from you people and it help the Government to chalk out the broad outline of the law, which will be debated by the Parliament Members and the standing committees," Patil told the country's top police brass.

Terming Left wing extremism, which had affected 12 States of the country, as the major challenge to internal security, he said while the Andhra Pradesh Government was talking to the Naxal groups, "there is some apprehension, particularly amongst the police and security agencies, that the Naxalites would use this opportunity not only to consolidate but also to seize the initiative politically."

"Even the police and intelligence agencies should use this opportunity to closely monitor the situation and ensure that this period is not utilized by the Naxalites to consolidate," Patil said.

The Home Minister said the period should be used by the security forces to improve their response mechanism and prepare themselves to meet any eventuality.

"The merger of People's War Group and Maoist Communist Centre to form CPI (Maoist) is a development that needs to be closely looked at by the security agencies in the days to come," Patil said.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, he said it remained a "matter of concern" still though there had been several positive developments brought about by a combination of effective security management, diplomatic and political initiatives.

Lauding the role of Intelligence Bureau and Jammu and Kashmir police, he said the coordinated approach had helped in tackling the militancy in the State to a great extent.

The Home Minister again chose the platform to extend an invitation for unconditional talks offer again to the separatists in the State.

"As the situation improves, secessionist leaders will find it easier to participate in the dialogue," he said adding the "Government is engaged in implementing administrative and economic measures to improve the life of the common man."

About the Northeast, Patil said any counter-insurgency operation for the area should take in account the mosaic of cultures, the often competing demands of different sections of the people, the economic underdevelopment and perceived sense of remoteness of the region.

"A holistic approach addressing these concerns combined with strong anti-insurgency measures is the way forward to a final solution to the problem," he added.