The Second World Congress on Disaster Management begins here tomorrow at the Andhra University Convocation Hall with the meet slated to continue till November 22.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will inaugurate the meet, which is to be attended by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Union Minister of State for Home and Disaster Management, Kiren Rijiju.
District Collector N Yuvaraj said that over 1,000 delegates, including 100 foreign attendees from 46 countries, are expected to participate in the meet, which is being jointly hosted by AP government and the Disaster Management Infrastructure and Control Society (DMICS).
Convener of the Congress, S Anand Rao, said issues such as implementation of the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (DDR) would feature in the discussions at the event.
Highlighting the efforts of the security agencies in the
Northeast, the Home Minister said 231 armed insurgents and nearly 300 supporters were arrested in the region this year and the situation has improved considerably.
He hoped that the 'Framework Agreement' signed by the government with insurgent group NSCN-IM would help in resolving the Naga problem.
Expressing concern over non-registration of criminal cases in many police stations, Singh said police must register FIRs without bothering the increase in number of criminal cases.
"Atmosphere in the police stations must be people- friendly. Our emphasis should be on good investigation of the registered cases and effective action against the criminals," he said.
The Home Minister said police stations should be open for poor and other weaker sections and they should not be scared of going to it.
Singh said government is committed to carrying out reforms in policing and building SMART police across the country and the states should move in this direction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced the concept of SMART Police (S-Sensitive and Strict; M-Modern with mobility; A- Alert and Accountable; R- Reliable and Responsive; T- Trained and Techno-savvy) during the last Directors General/ Inspectors General annual conference in Guwahati held on November 30, 2014.
Singh said democracy has been strengthened in India since Independence and the security agencies have played an important role in safeguarding democracy.
The Home Minister also appreciated the efforts of the security agencies in insuring peace and tranquillity in the country.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will attend the
conference for all three days, launched the website 'Indian Police in Service of the Nation' during the inaugural function.
Singh termed the recent incidents of Sarbat Khalsa in Punjab as a "matter of concern" and added that "security forces should mount vigil in this border state so that Punjab does not return to bad days of the past".
On Maoist violence, the Home Minister also noted that the security forces had suffered fewer casualties than the ultras. "Apart from action by the security forces, it is also necessary to win the hearts of the people so that the Maoists do not get shelter," he said.
The Home Minister called upon the security forces to remain on guard to prevent sudden serious situations and sought better coordination between the Central and state agencies.
This year recorded the lowest number of communal incidents in the country, he claimed.
The Home Minister also called upon the DGs and IGs to form an expert group to decide which tasks can be outsourced, such as 'watch and ward' duties, private cyber labs, traffic control room, passport verification agencies, summon services, private legal services and technical support wing.
Rajnath Singh also handed over certificates to 32 police officials of the Central IB. Ministers of State for Home Kiran Rijiju and Haribhai Chaudhary were also present.
At least 12 watch towers have been set up near the tent city hosting the conference and there are several check points on the road leading to the venue. Entry is barred for civilians till the conference gets over on December 20.
