“The security environment in the country continues to be uncertain. The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Delhi are grim reminders of the grave challenges posed by terrorism to our national security,” said Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Annual All India Conference of Director General / Inspectors General of Police-2011 in New Delhi today.
The Home Minister P Chidambaram yesterday briefed the DIGs on the large resources that have been deployed by the Government of India in dealing with the problem of Left Wing Extremism. There have been some successes on the ground. “But if we seek a decisive change in the situation, then a huge collective and coordinated effort is required both by the Centre and the States acting in concert. The role of the DGPs in leading this effort is crucial and I urge that more focussed attention be given to this problem,” he said.
Addressing the DIGs and IGs, he said, “Over the last one year, Left Wing Extremism has also claimed the lives of many innocent persons and police personnel. We are trying to give a sustained thrust to development processes in the Naxalite affected areas. I am hopeful that with the setting up of Specialised India Reserve Battalions, that will assist directly in these development efforts, there will be some positive difference on the ground.”
Making a statement on Jammu and Kashmir, he said the summer has been peaceful and record numbers of tourists, yatris and pilgrims have visited the state. “However, there are reports of cross-border camps for terrorists being reactivated, and of attempts to induct fresh batches of militants into the country. We need to ensure that such attempts are foiled through smooth and coordinated functioning of all security agencies working in the state.”
On the North-East situation, he said there has been a gradual yet substantial improvement in the security situation. The climate for talks with different groups in Assam has improved. The situation in the Darjeeling Hills has shown improvement. Over the past few years we have learnt some lessons in dealing with our multiple security challenges.”
As the 26/11 tragedy showed, terrorists use the latest technologies for communication and real time information sharing. “We have therefore to remain one step ahead of our adversaries. With this in mind, connectivity has been established between Subsidiary Multi Agency Centres and State Special Branches. I hope that the NATGRID would enable seamless retrieval and dissemination of data critical to the task of anticipating and pre-empting terrorist attacks,” the Prime Minister added.
Crowd control techniques in a democracy where people often vigorously vent their opinions and sometimes their frustrations, have to strike a fine balance between the requirement to maintain law and order and the imperative of using absolutely minimum, non-lethal force. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have improved their capabilities considerably in this regard. India needs to keep looking at new methods and methodologies and technologies of handling demonstrations.