"It is becoming obvious that more sophisticated weaponsand devices may be used by terrorists. They are likely to use modern technologies in carrying out terrorist activities," he said inaugurating a three-day conference of Directors and Inspectors General of Police in New Delhi.
Patil cautioned that terrorists are likely to use publicity apparatus to mislead the masses and create mischief and violence at places where innocent people congregate in large numbers.
"Religious places can be attacked. Police may become their targets. Politicians and other important persons may also be targeted," he told the country's top police brass at the meeting, organised by the Intelligence Bureau.
With intelligence reports suggesting that ‘sleeper cells’ of Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed being present in the country, the Minister said, "they can become active when needed by them (terrorist groups)."
Asking the participants to review terrorism minutely at the national level, the Home Minister said perfect, reliable and actionable intelligence was required to perform ‘policing in a proper manner’.
Patil said new technologies were becoming available to criminals to commit crimes with ease and lesser difficulties and risks. Newer crimes were coming to notice in some parts of the country.
"Dealing with them requires newer method and newer approaches and better training methods. The police cannot afford to lag behind the criminals, in making use of new ideas, equipments, technologies and training," he said.
The Home Minister said lack of security could stop the flow of investment. "Development needs security, and security needs development. They should go hand-in-hand," he said.
Expressing concern over the ‘very low’ police-population ratio in the country, Patil said many states have not increased the strength of policemen and officers for the last so many years. "To create new posts, the governments may take time, but to fill up the vacancies, there should be no difficulties and delays," he said.
Patil also pulled up states which did not utilise funds made available by the Centre to strengthen the police.
While lauding the role of Central Intelligence agencies, the Home Minister said the state governments have to contribute in a better manner in acquiring, analysing and using intelligence.
The special agencies of the states are not strong and adequate enough to meet the demands of present and the future. They need to be strengthened," he said.
"No weapon or device is going to be as useful as intelligence, to control and contain crimes, violence and terrorism," the Home Minister said stressing that intelligence agencies should receive first priority in budgetary plan for combating terrorism.
Suggesting new methods and systems to add to the police force to meet demands of the prevailing situation, he said members of the Civil Defence units can be used for policing purposes and added that the law in this regard can be amended.
He said police volunteers can be appointed in villages and felt that the concept of having security committees in all villages might prove to be useful. Besides, private persons and agencies may be encouraged to discharge duties to provide protection and security.
Commenting on situation in disturbed states of the country, Patil said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has shown ‘definite’ improvement and lauded the initiatives taken by the state police to fight against terrorism. "However, there is no scope for complacency when infiltration across the border continues and terrorist incidents are still taking place," he said.
Expressing concerns over continued violence in Assam and Manipur and persistent factional clashes in Nagaland, he said and these were causes for concern and called for synergy among various security forces in operations against insurgents.
"A proactive strategy and concerted action are also necessary to stop extortions in the region," he said.
On Naxal violence, Patil admitted that the problem had become ‘more difficult’ in some states and a coordinated approach was needed to meet this challenge.