We've to win back families of slain terrorists: PM

Manmohan says it is important to help them lead a life free from violence and as upright citizens of the country.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the process of nation-building should include winning back "as our own" the destitute families of terrorists killed in police action.

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"It is important that in our efforts at nation-building, we win back as our own the destitute families of those terrorists who have been killed in police action," the Prime Minister said in his concluding remarks at the roundtable conference.

"We have initiated a number of schemes for rehabilitation of orphans who have been victims of terrorism. Such schemes must be extended to all orphans who need help in building for themselves a life free from violence and perceived revenge, as upright citizens of this great state of India," Singh said.

He said this was an area where all can work together and ensure that succour and relief are provided to the widows and orphans of victims of violence in the state.

The Prime Minister said this will be "our surest and immediate contribution to the peace and prosperity that we all crave for".

Singh said he will direct the Union Home Ministry and the state government to work out a credible mechanism of support for these families.