We had last met in January this year. A number of steps were discussed in that meeting and I am happy that a substantial amount of work has been done in the subsequent period. I congratulate my Cabinet colleague Shri P Chidambaram for single-minded pursuit of the objectives that we had collectively agreed in general.
Coming to specific challenges, cross-border terrorism remains a most pervasive threat. We have put in place additional measures after the Mumbai terrorist attack in November last year. But there is need for continued vigilance. There is credible information of ongoing plans of terrorist groups in Pakistan to carry out fresh attacks. The area of operation of these terrorists today extends far beyond the confines of Jammu & Kashmir and covers all parts of our country.
In dealing with the terrorist challenge, we need to be prepared to encounter more sophisticated technologies and enhanced capabilities. We also need to guard our sea frontier as vigilantly as our land border.
Left wing extremism is another serious challenge. There have been heavy casualties inflicted recently on security forces by Naxalite groups. There are also indications of yet more offensive action by these groups. The problem of Left wing extremism is indeed a complex one. There is a need for a balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it. On the one hand, the state should discharge its responsibilities and obligations and re-establish the rule of law in areas dominated by the Naxalites. At the same time, we should work towards removing the causes which lead to alienation of people and problems like Naxalism.
The situation in Jammu & Kashmir has, during the past few years, seen substantial improvement. Figures of violence have been steadily declining and are today at an all-time low. But there are some disturbing trends on the horizon. Levels of infiltration, which had come down very substantially, have seen a surge this year, alongside an increase in attempts at infiltration. The infiltrators appear more battle-hardened, better equipped and in possession of sophisticated communications.
There are also signs of a revival of over-ground activities. Attempts are being made to link isolated and unconnected incidents — such as those which occurred in Shopian, Sopore, Baramulla — to create an impression of a groundswell of anti-national feeling.
In the North-East, there is an overall improvement but the situation in some states, particularly in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, remains problematic and worrisome. Assam and Manipur account for a disproportionately large number of violent incidents reported from the North-East, with the latter’s share being as high as 30 per cent. In Assam, the Centre had sanctioned an amount of Rs 750 crore for development of Bodo areas. But the utilisation remains unsatisfactory. The Government of Manipur needs to put in place appropriate mechanisms for increased participation of people in developmental projects.
I would request the Chief Ministers of all the north-eastern states to pay particular attention to the implementation of infrastructure projects. There is also a need in the North-East for more emphasis on pro-active state police forces rather than exclusive reliance on the Central Para Military Forces and Army.
As far as the communal situation is concerned, we have reasons for satisfaction. In the past five years, no serious communal incident has occurred. But some states like Maharashtra and Karnataka need to exercise greater vigil to maintain communal peace. We are committed to assist the states in all possible ways in dealing with the challenges of internal security. We will also do our utmost in facilitating inter-state coordination. I would urge states to take more initiative for co-ordinating action with other states. I do recognise that states often face constraints of resources. But ultimately we must all bear the burden of our shared sense of responsibility. It must also be recognised that there are limits to what the Central Government can provide. I hope that the expectations of the states from the Centre would be guided by a consciousness of their own obligations as well as a sense of practical realism.
(Excerpts from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s speech at the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security on August 17 in New Delhi)
