Sunday, July 24 2005 14:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Proximate security at the makeshift temple in Ayodhya is in for a beef up in the wake of the recent terrorist attack to prevent such strikes in the future.

The third and inner cordon leading to the temple could be further strengthened and improvement in the security mechanism there would be in place by next month, Home Minister Shivraj Patil told sources in an exclusive interview.

While the first and second security cordons were quite strong, steps could be taken to further strengthen the third and the inner cordon, he said.

The Home Minister, who had visited Ayodhya a day after the July five terror attack which was successfully thwarted by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel, said experts, appointed by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh Government, were looking into security aspects there.

"Improvement in the security mechanism will be introduced after an expert committee, appointed by the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh Government, submits its recommendations. This will be done within a month (by August)," he said.

On the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Patil said while the number of terror attacks there has shown an increasing trend in July as compared to the previous month, the 'sum total' of situation had 'improved' as compared to last year.

"The sum total of violent incidents is lower than what it was last year but the number of individual incidents for this month is higher than the previous one," he said.

Graph is coming down because of alertness,vigil,operations being carried out of the security forces

Regarding infiltration of militants from across the border into J & K, Patil said "The graph is coming down and this is because of alertness, the vigil and operations being carried out by the security forces. There is a reason to feel that the situation has improved."

On CRPF taking over road opening and escort duties from Border Security Force (BSF) in J and K, he said, "They are in the process of training their personnel for all these duties."

Asked about the details of security arrangements being envisaged after he held talks with UP Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav following the Ayodhya terror attack, Patil said "Let them (the experts) give their suggestions. We will do all that is necessary. Let's wait for the final report."

Replying to a question on talks between the Centre and the major Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagalim, Isak-Muivah (NSCN)(I-M) this year, the Home Minister said at least one round of parleys will be now be held outside the country like in the past.

Asked if the Centre-NSCN (I-M) parleys had reached a stalemate on the outfit's demand for a 'Greater Nagaland', Patil merely said, "Why should we come to a judgement and pass comments. The talks were held in an understanding atmosphere and improvement in understanding each other's point of view should be welcomed."

Possibility of negotiations,willing to talk to them:Patil

On reports about the possibility of negotiations with Northeastern militant group United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), which suffered serious, reverses after the 2003 operations against it by the Royal Bhutanese Army, the Home Minister said "We are willing to talk to them. It is for them to decide."

Asked about the reported links between Naxalite groups like People's War Group (PWG) and Maoists Communist Centre (MCC) and Maoists of Nepal and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka, Patil said links between terrorist groups had taken place in the past and 'Government does take note of them and Government is not frightened.'

"We will take action and use strength wherever necessary. We also seek cooperation of our neighbours (Nepal and Bangladesh) as and when required." he said. On the controversial Women's Reservation Bill, whose introduction in the Monsoon session of Parliament the All India Mahila Congress without has demanded dilution of the 33 per cent reservation clause, Patil said "Let a consensus be developed with the political parties (on it)".

On bringing the Domestic Violence Bill before Parliament, which would begin its four-week session from Monday, he said "We are looking at itbut did not elaborate."