MANGALURU: Union minister of statistics and programme implementation D V Sadananda Gowda stressed on the need for taking measures to prevent terrorism in the coastal belt of India.

As part of the 70th Independence-Day celebrations of the BJP, he was speaking at 'Tiranga Yatra' and 'Balidana Smarane', a programme to remember freedom fighters, held at Mangala Auditorium of Mangalore University.

Even when India is witnessing a fast-paced development with Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiating various schemes, anti-national slogans are being raised at various corners of the nation. There are several instances to prove the depth of nationalism among Indians, but unfortunately, we also hear voices against the nation.

"Mangaluru is a place located between Kasaragod and Bhatkal. From Bhatkal, we have seen many with terrorists links and they have threatened the country. Meanwhile, from Kasaragod, we have seen that several youngsters have joined IS . Hence, Mangaluru is a central place where a new message needs to be conveyed as per the visions of our Prime Minister so that it should echo throughout the west coast from Thiruvananthapuram to Mumbai," Gowda said.

 Hence, PM Modi has called upon people to celebrate the 70th Independence by remembering freedom fighters. Instilling patriotism in each Indian is the only solution to eliminate this anti-national activity. The PM has made it a responsibility of all ministers to reach out to the freedom fighters, their families and honour them, he added.