Tuesday, January 3 2006 19:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Condemning the recent terrorist attack on Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Jan 3, 2006) sought to send out a strongmessage to the pertpetrators of violence saying, "No force on earth can weaken the resolve of Indian people".

Opening his inaugural address at the 93rd Indian Science Congress here with a tribute to Prof M C Puri, who was killed in the terror attack, the Prime Minister said the slain scientist was a 'soldier of knowledge' who lived a life of peace dedicated to science and education.

"Dr Puri was gunned down in the greatest temple of science by the most reprehensible and cowardly enemies of our people," Singh said as the incident cast a grim shadow on the gathering of scientists.

Stating that the 'symbols and temples of our knowledge society' were being targeted by terrorists, he asserted, "I am confident that all our knowledge workers will close ranks and join the struggle to make India a great nation, a humane and modern nation and a knowledge power".

Against the backdrop of the Bangalore incident and Andhra Pradesh police recently busting a terror network, tight security arrangements were made at the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) campus, the venue of the Congress about 15 Kms from the city.