No state is free from terror threat : Antony

KOZHIKODE: No state in the country is "free from the threat of extremism", Defence Minister A K Antony said on Monday and asked the state governments to remain "more vigilant" especially in the aftermath of Jaipur blasts.
    
"Several forces within and outside are engaged in destroying the peace and it requires a concerted effort from the state and central governments to counter them," Antony, who is here to inaugurate the District Congress Committee conference, told reporters.
    
"If you ask me, I will say that no state today is free from the threat of extemism. Therefore, it is necessary that we remain more vigilant, particularly in the aftermath of the Jaipur bomb blasts", the defence minister said.
    
While asserting that country's borders were well protected, Antony said all states should remain alert to counter moves to disturb peace.
    
Stressing the need to strengthen security along the country's coastal belts, the minister said the Centre had asked the states to remain "extra vigilant" in this regard.
    
Noting that India and Pakistan were entering a new phase in bilateral ties, Antony said attempts were on to disrupt the same.
    
Adequate security had been arranged in the south following reports that the outlawed LTTE could sneak into these states, he added.