INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION YEAR END REVIEW-2006
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
YEAR END REVIEW - 2006 MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION REMAINS UNDER CONTROL
MAJOR INITIATIVES TAKEN FOR STRENGTHENING POLICE FORCES
The overall internal security and law and order situation in the country remained largely under control during 2006, although there were some major terrorist incidents at some places including Varanasi, Mumbai and Malegaon. 21 ISI- backed espionage modules were neutralised during the year up to 21.11.2006 and 57 ISI-backed terrorist modules busted during the year up to 31.10.2006. A large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives was seized in Maharashtra. The level of violence in Jammu & Kashmir continued to show a declining trend. The security situation in the North Eastern States showed signs of improvement. The overall naxal violence was contained during the current year.
Jammu & Kashmir
The number of violent incidents declined by 15%, civilians killed came down by 28% and security forces killed decreased by 10% till November 2006, as compared to the previous year.
Prime Minister held discussions with APHC, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on May 3, 2006. He also held talks with Chairman, People’s Conference, Sajjad Gani Lone on January 14, 2006 and Chairman, JKLF, Yasin Malik on February 17, 2006. A Round Table Conference was held on February 25, 2006 in New Delhi and another on May 24-25, 2006 in Srinagar. As a follow-up to the Prime Minister’s talks with various groups, 51 persons, detained under the J&K Public Safety Act, 1978 were released.
Honorarium for Special Police Officers has been enhanced from Rs.18,000/- to Rs.36,000/- per annum w.e.f. 01.09.2006.
5242 two-roomed tenements at a cost of Rs.185 crore are being constructed for accommodating all migrant families presently living in camps at Jammu. In phase-I, 1024 flats are under construction at Jammu. Construction of 200 flats at Budgam as transit accommodation for the return of Kashmiri migrants is nearing completion at a cost of Rs. 20 crore. Cash relief to migrant families has been enhanced to Rs.4,000/- per family per month in Jammu and Delhi w.e.f. 01.07.2006.
As part of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) with Pakistan, Poonch-Rawalakot bus service was flagged off on June 20, 2006.
North East
The overall security situation in the North-Eastern States has shown signs of improvement. There has been a decline in violence in Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. In Meghalaya, the violence has been contained. However, in Assam and Nagaland, the violence has gone up due to increased activities of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and factional clashes between National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)(I/M) and NSCN(K). Mizoram and Sikkim continued to be peaceful.
As per the revised policy on Modernization of State Police Forces, all the North Eastern States except Sikkim are eligible to receive 100% grant of the approved Annual Plan. For Sikkim, it is 75%.
The existing Suspension of Operations/Ceasefire with NSCN (I/M), NSCN(K), United Peoples Solidarity (UPDS), Dimah Halam Dagrh (DHD), ANVC and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) have been periodically renewed
The Government also took initiative to start dialogue with ULFA in Assam and also declared unilateral Suspension of Operations. Since there was no direct response from ULFA, counter-insurgency operations have been resumed.
Naxal Situation
Except in Chhattisgarh, where incidents and casualties registered a steep increase, naxal violence in the affected States was contained during the current year.
The Central Government has ear-marked additional funds of Rs. 100 crore under the Police Modernisation Scheme for the naxal-affected States for purchase of de-mining equipment, latest telecommunication equipment and modern weaponry in vulnerable police stations.
An Inter-Ministerial Group has been constituted to essentially review the implementation of Centrally sponsored schemes undertaken particularly in naxal-affected areas.
An Empowered Group of Ministers, headed by the Home Minister and comprising some Union Ministers and Chief Ministers has been set up to closely monitor the spread of naxalism and evolve effective strategies to deal with the problem.
Recently, an Anti-Naxal Cell headed by an Additional Secretary has been set up in the MHA with a view to ensuring periodic review and close monitoring of the Action Plans drawn up by the States to deal with the naxal problem.
Strengthening of Police Apparatus
Under the Scheme of Modernisation of the State Police Forces (MPF Scheme), Rs.1,025 crore was spent in 2005-06 and the expenditure is likely to be over Rs.1,100 crore in 2006-07. Within the MPF Scheme, focus has been given on upgrading the standards of metropolitan policing and strengthening the critical police infrastructure in the 7 mega cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Starting from an investment of Rs.22 crore in 2005-06, expenditure of over Rs.100 crore is being undertaken in 2006-07 for modernizing the police in mega cities.
A Committee of experts, headed by Shri Soli Sorabjee was set up on 20th September, 2005 to draft a new Police Act to replace the Police Act of 1861. The Committee submitted the draft Model Police Act to the Ministry on 30.10.2006. Copies of the draft Act have been sent to State Governments for consideration, as they are competent to enact their own police laws.
A Core Committee constituted, to review VIP security issues, has finalized its report.
Government approved a modernization plan for 7 Central Para-Military Forces at an estimated cost of Rs.4,185 crore. The total amount spent so far is Rs.2,148 crore (51.3%). The forces have been equipped with 5.56 mm INSAS Rifles, bullet-proof jackets, night vision devices, AK-47 rifles, bullet-proof vehicles, various types of communication and surveillance equipment and various type of ammunition.
For strengthening the internal security scenario, Government approved raising of 79 battalions which includes 45 Battalions in the CPFs and 34 India Reserve Battalions. Cadres of CISF and CRPF have been restructured for improved effectiveness. Nearly 10000 posts have been added to the CRPF for meeting the needs of internal security and about 9500 posts to the CISF. 22 Battalions are being added to the ITBP to ensure better rotation and more diversified exposure to the new challenges of internal security. The Recruitment Scheme of Constables in CPFs has been revised so as to provide more job opportunities to youth of border States and militancy affected areas.
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Labels: Govt.Press Release, News
posted by Bimal 1/03/2007 02:21:00 PM,
