Shivraj Patil

NEW DELHI: The Government has put in place a multi-pronged policy to deal with terrorism and maintain internal security, Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

One of the key components of the policy, Mr. Patil said, was to enhance the strength of the paramilitary forces. Many battalions of the forces were being raised, and the Government had asked the States to increase the strength of their police forces and also train the personnel. "The Government is supporting it by giving huge amounts of money," he said while replying to a short duration discussion on the "Internal Security Scenario."

Intelligence agencies at the national level and the special branches of police at the State level were also being strengthened. "Intelligence agencies provide useful actionable information, and with their alertness it becomes possible to avoid many terrorist-related activities. At the national level, intelligence agencies give direction to their counterparts in the States."

The Government had also sought the cooperation of the people, and legal measures were being taken to fine tune the role of private security agencies, which would ease the burden on the police forces.

The fourth element of the policy was to speed up economic development of the States so that financial disparities among the various sections of society were reduced.

The Government was going by the Supreme Court ruling on how the police should deal with terrorists in disturbed areas. Mr. Patil assured the House that laws would be made more humane, and the Government would ensure that no innocent citizen suffered at the hands of the police and security forces.

However, he did not give any categorical reply to a demand raised during the discussion by Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Brinda Karat if the Armed Forces Special Powers Act would be repealed.

"Since other ministries like defence and law are also involved, I am not in a position to say anything more than this."

Coastal security

The Government was also evolving plans for toning up "mega city policing" as problems in bigger cities were of an entirely different nature than in other parts of the country.

Along the coastline too, efforts were on to tighten security as terrorists were using the sea routes to infiltrate into the country. A Rs. 400 crore project was being implemented to strengthen security in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Maharashtra, Orissa and other coastal States.

"The situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in the Northeast has improved, while the naxalite problem is under control, and there has not been any major communal strife."

Mr. Patil said the Government was keen on removing economic disparities and improving infrastructure. While Rs. 24,000 crore had been made available to Jammu and Kashmir, Rs. 20,000 crore had been provided as a non-lapsable fund to the northeastern States.

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