Putin beefs up state control in terrorism fight

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin strengthened his control over Russia yesterday with a series of far-reaching initiatives which he said were aimed at combating terrorism.

The Russian President convened a meeting of his cabinet, top security and military officials and regional governors following the disastrous end to the school siege in Beslan that left more than 330 dead.

“The organisers and perpetrators of the terror attack are aiming at the disintegration of the state, the break-up of Russia,” Putin told the officials gathered in government headquarters, known as the White House.