Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday applauded the country’s police forces for effectively combating the menace of terrorism in the past one year, but cautioned that left-wing terrorism continues to remain the biggest threat to national security.
“We have achieved success in tackling terrorism in the past one year. Many terrorist modules have been busted during the period. There have been no terrorist attacks since November last year. However, I have consistently held that left-wing extremism is perhaps the gravest internal security threat we face. We have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing it. It is a matter of concern that despite our efforts, the level of violence in the affected states continues to rise," Manmohan Singh said while addressing the three-day conference of top police officers here.
Expressing concern over the volatile situation in the Northeast, Manmohan Singh said, "The situation in the northeastern parts of our country is far from comfortable. In two of the states -- Manipur and Assam -- current levels of violence give us cause for concern."
"In addition, extortion and intimidation have become a menace across most of the states in the region. It should be possible, I believe, to bring about a substantial improvement in the situation if there can be better security management," he said.
While briefing the Directors General of Police (DGPs) and Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) on key policing and internal security issues, Prime Minister Singh also spoke on cross-border infiltration along the international borders with Nepal and Bangladesh, infiltration through coastal areas and the need for developing better strategies and improving the surveillance and vigilance mechanism to check these activities.
The Prime Minister also complimented the police force for their role in conducting free and fair polls in various states. However, he said that there was an urgent need to address diverse national security related issues, as also the various operational, infrastructural and welfare-related problems faced by police in the country.
The Prime Minister also stressed on maintaining a good relationship, especially with the minorities, saying, "Special efforts must be made to make a relationship of trust between our police forces and minorities".
He also asked the top police brass to identify the causes why terrorist organisations were succeeding in distracting youth towards militancy.
“A large number of youth are indoctrinated into terrorist activities. We must not fail on this aspect, “he said.
Among other issues, the Prime Minister also endorsed Home Minister P Chidambaram’s earlier assertions that it was time to chalk out strategies to check circulation of fake currency notes, strengthening of intelligence apparatus, strengthening the National Police Mission, identifying corporate frauds and security arrangements for major events.
The Prime Minister also asked the top police brass to ensure better facilities to bottom level police personnel, filling the existing backlog in vacancies, and formulating and sharing of professional practices and processes in tackling challenges relating to crime control and law and order management.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday inaugurated the conference of DGPs and IGPs at Vigyan Bhavan and shared his experience gathered during the just concluded visit to the US where he extensively interacted with top security experts of that country.
Chidambaram expressed deep concern over terrorism emanating from across the border, saying it continues to remain a persistent threat to India’s security.
Chidambaram said groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad continue to plan terror strikes in India. He added that local support to Pakistan-based terror groups has not ended.
The minister also announced plans to set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre, assuring the government’s response to terror will be swift and effective.
The conference offers opportunities for generation and exchange of ideas on capacity building for the police in respect of manpower, training, logistics and advanced technology.
