PM tells Pak to act against terror, not keen on POTA

Asking Pakistan to give "firm commitments backed by action" on not allowing its territory to be used by terrorists against India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appeared unenthusiastic on bringing back the tough POTA law to counter terrorism.

However, against the backdrop of the deadly Mumbai serial blasts, he admitted there was need for upgrading intelligence gathering and the ability to cope with terrorist acts.

On his way to St Petersburg to meet G-8 leaders where he plans to seek global action against terror, Singh suggested to accompanying journalists that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) enacted during the NDA regime was not the panacea for terrorism.

"Let us look at it - terrorist acts took place even when POTA was there. So I think it is far from true that POTA is required to deal with terrorists," he said.