Saturday, December 31 2005 10:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Describing the terror attack at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore as a 'despicable act', Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal yesterday (Dec 30, 2005) said the scientific community should be provided protection, but in a 'non-intrusive' manner.

"The attack on the scientific community is not an attack on ordinary individuals. It is an attack on those who are taking the country forward," he told sources, ahead of the Indian Science Congress in Hyderabad starting next week.

He said the scientific community needed to be protected in a non-intrusive manner and the intelligence network should function effectively and efficiently. "I am sure the State will gear itself up and ensure that attempts like this do not succeed."

Sibal said the fact that the terrorists chose soft targets and innocent people shows that they wanted to be noticed.

"They should never be allowed to succeed but we must also realise that terrorists don't give any notice and they choose their own time and place. We must meet the challenge with fortitude," he said.

Asked about the security arrangements for the forthcoming Science Congress, Sibal said the concerned authorities would take all measures. "However, we should not create panic. Such acts of cowardice should not be allowed to cow down the will of the nation to move forward."