Noting that the security environment in the country continues to be uncertain, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday admitted that recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai and Delhi were “grim reminders” of the grave challenges posed by terrorism to “our national security.”
Referring to the report of cross-border camps for terrorists being reactivated and of attempts to induct fresh batches of militants into the country, Dr. Singh stressed the need to ensure that such attempts were foiled through coordinated functioning of all security agencies working in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the annual conference of Directors-General and Inspectors-General of Police, organised by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Prime Minister dwelt at length on the problem of Left Wing Extremism, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East and called for improving human intelligence capabilities.
He said the government had initiated a process of broad-based consultations to find a way forward in Jammu and Kashmir. “We need to give the processes of dialogue and democracy a chance to secure a just and honourable settlement that meets the aspirations of all sections of the people.''
He emphasised there was no room for complacency on the security front in Jammu and Kashmir. Calling for improving human intelligence capabilities, Dr. Singh said the grassroots information and intelligence collection systems that had traditionally been a part of policing had languished or fallen into disuse in some places. “The role of a vigilant and effective beat constable can be vital in checking the activities of networks, which otherwise operate under the radar. Some reorientation in the functioning at these cutting edge levels is necessary and the role of community policing should also be emphasised,'' he suggested.
Stressing that the government was addressing the problem of shortage of manpower in police forces on a war-footing, he said last week's National Integration Council (NIC) meeting had emphasised the need for a well-trained and equipped force to deal with riots. He wanted the conference to consider ways and means of scaling up the availability of trained personnel and formations in the State police forces.
“Sometimes our security forces have to perforce serve in unfamiliar areas far away from their homes. They don't have adequate understanding of local sensitivities and sometimes of the language as well. These can be vital handicaps in earning the trust and confidence of local communities,'' Dr. Singh said.
Recalling the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the Prime Minister said it had shown that 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 Centre and State Special Branches. I hope that NATGRID would enable seamless retrieval and dissemination of data critical to the task of anticipating and pre-empting terrorist attacks,'' he said.
Referring to last week's meeting of the National Integration Council, Dr. Singh said the meeting had discussed the issue of perceived bias of the law enforcement and investigation agencies against the minorities. He pointed out that existence of such a perception was “inimical” to effective policing which must draw upon the confidence and cooperation of all sections of the population it serves. He wanted the conference to consider ways and means to deal with the causes of such perceptions wherever they may exist.
The Prime Minister said the constabulary was the “mainstay'' of police forces as it constituted about 87 per cent of their total strength. “The job of a constable is arduous and hazardous. Currently, the constabulary is over-stretched and asked to perform multifarious duties. Many of them find it difficult to get suitable accommodation and are even forced to live in slum areas,'' he said, while asking the law keepers to continuously upgrade their professional skills and inculcate the right attitude towards the public.
Dr. Singh told the senior police officials that the country's social fabric was being targeted by organised terrorism, abetted by misguided zeal and false propaganda among the youth and the marginalised sections of society.
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