Date:18/01/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/18/stories/2004011804190800.htm

National

Naxalite-affected States to get Central forces free of cost

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 17. The Centre today announced that it would not demand any charge from naxalite-affected States for deployment of Central Para-Military Forces (CPMFs). The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, agreed to the suggestion of providing CPMFs for anti-naxalite operations free of cost to the affected States.

The suggestion came up during his meeting with the Chief Secretaries attending a conference on "Internal Security" here, the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, told the concluding session of the conference.

The decision is expected to provide major relief to the nine States which have been making this demand for the past few years. The move is in keeping with its policy in the northeast.

Observing that State Governments had to pay for the deployment of Central forces except in the northeast, Mr. Advani, told the conference that the States affected by naxalite violence would not have to reimburse the Centre for deployment of paramilitary forces. Nearly 55 districts spread over nine States — Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are hit by naxalite violence.

Addressing the Chief Secretaries and State police chiefs earlier in the day, the Prime Minister suggested an "open debate" on the desirability of a federal law for dealing with federal crimes without in any way infringing on the powers of the State Governments. His concern stemmed from the recent outbreak of the fake stamp paper scam in many States, involving people at various levels. However, the idea of having a Central Law Enforcement Agency (CLEA) was shot down by the States more than three years ago.

"The stamp paper scandal has highlighted another important issue. Its simultaneous spread to several States has necessitated proactive inter-agency coordination, particularly in gathering and sharing criminal intelligence. The creation of a comprehensive database on terrorists, militants and underworld elements and also coordination among different police forces both at the Central and State levels are of paramount importance to fight such organised crimes," the Prime Minister said.

Stating that India's internal security was often impacted by certain factors in our regional environment, Mr. Vajpayee expressed satisfaction that a new era of cooperation among South Asian countries had begun with the 12th SAARC Summit held in Islamabad.

Expressing gratitude to Bhutan for its firm action to dismantle terrorist camps on its soil, the Prime Minister said this "praiseworthy example" of both good-neighbourliness and security self-interest should be emulated by others.

Referring to the recent confidence-building measures taken by India and Pakistan, Mr. Vajpayee said they have led to an "understanding between us about the way forward towards relations of peace, in which security and stability can be enhanced." He hoped that the commitments undertaken would be implemented sincerely so that the two countries could move forward to focus on development and growth, rather than be caught in suspicion and hostility.

The Prime Minister said that one of the fundamental reasons for the ills of insurgency, extremism and crimes affecting internal security was the lack of good governance, especially at the cutting-edge level. Another important component of the management of internal security, he said, was the system of administration of criminal justice. "The present system is very dilatory and expensive. It does not act as an effective deterrent to the criminals. The trials are lengthy and there is a huge pendency of cases in the courts. Topmost priority must be given for setting up Fast Track Courts and making them functional,'' he told top bureaucrats and police officials.

Mr. Vajpayee said the report of the Malimath Committee on Reforming Criminal Justice System had been circulated to the State Governments. He asked them to convey their comments.