Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday, March 20, 2010: The State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said here on Friday that Kerala could no longer claim to be immune from terrorism as in the past. He was addressing a meeting organized to apprise representatives of the print and visual media of the serious threat posed by terrorism and seek their cooperation in reporting developments connected with it in a responsible manner, he said Kerala was as much a target of terrorists as any other place.

Nobody could rule out a terrorist attack anywhere and are not aware when it would happen. So for such a threat we have to equip ourselves and face it. Since terrorists were not like other offenders indulging in terrorism for personal gain or money, but for their cause or ideology and they were prepared to even die for it. Their aim was to get maximum publicity for their deed and through it, their cause. Terrorism could also deter visitors, block development, create anarchy and affect emigration.

Kerala had not lost any life due to terrorism during the last decade. But some persons belonging to the State were active in other States and also had established links with international terror groups. Even though they did not get any support from the people, they could influence the latter’s secular, social and political consciousness. The media also played a role in it by not purvey their ideology.

He called for constant vigil against terrorism. He insisted the need for a strong defence against it. He said the media would be a big help if they practised self-restraint in reporting matters connected with terrorism as they did at the time of communal riots. The government did not want to curb the freedom of the press in any way.

Director General of Police Jacob Punnoose, who also addressed the meeting, urged the media not to allow terrorists to get publicity for their deed or further their agenda to create distrust and hostility among sections of the people. They should also refrain from giving details of the security arrangements being made by the police and the moves being planned by it.