New Delhi: Members in Rajya Sabha on Monday demanded effective mechanisms to combat terrorism and favoured widespread police reforms and development policy to check extremism and prevent infiltration.
Participating in a discussion on the working of the Home Ministry, H K Dua (Nom) said the country is not prepared for terror strikes as is evident from 2008 Mumbai attacks which left 168 people dead and unmasked security agencies` failure and lack of vigil as attackers sailed in rubber boats.
"No state can fight terrorism alone and there is need for a Centre for Combating Terrorism but Chief Ministers are opposed to the idea," Dua said and questioned, "Will the Home Minister call a meeting of chief ministers on this and set up an authority like NCTC?"
Advocating widespread police reforms, Dua said it was unfortunate that the recommendations of Dharam Vira Commission`s was yet to be implemented. This is despite former BSF chief Prakash Singh asking for its implementation in Supreme Court.
He said there is a need to break the "nexus" between state chief ministers and Directors General of Police as every CM posts a DGP of his choice and the tenure of DGP should be for a fixed term. Also, special appointment board should be in place for such appointments, he said.
He demanded development schemes in tribal areas to check extremism.
Sanjay Raut (SS) said separatist and anti-national bodies like SIMI had posed a major threat to the nation`s safety and security.
Stressing the need to curb infiltrators from Bangladesh, he said as per 2001 census four crore Bangladeshi were residing in India and were responsible for demographic changes in districts of Assam and West Bengal.
Demanding immediate action for their deporting, Raut said Ajit Doval had himself said one lakh such infiltrators took refuge here every year.
He demanded steps to check atrocities on Marathi-speaking people in areas adjacent to Karnataka.
Ashwani Kumar (Cong) expressed concern over rising
incidents of violence against women and children in the country and urged the government to take strong steps to check such crimes.
He said another issue of major concern was the spread of drugs culture among youth in Punjab where every seven out of 10 youth were into some kind of addiction.
Kumar also raised the issue of riots in Uttar Pradesh and other states in the country saying "is it just a coincidence that 300 riots have taken place in 12 seats from where BJP candidates have won."
Dilipbhai Pandya (BJP) said there was need to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the country as it will help in ensuring equal rights for women in the society.
He said its implementation would also help in getting equal status for women in Jammu and Kashmir as they do not get any right in parental property.
He welcomed move to deploy National Security Guard troops in Gujarat saying the state shares borders with Pakistan.
K C Tyagi (JD-U) said the job of Governor is not honourable anymore as there have been instances where people facing corruption charges have been given the post.
Speaking on issue of poverty, he said in some cases, the lives of pet dogs of rich people was much better than those of poor people in the country.
