PM warns of fresh attacks by Pak militants

“The area of operation of these terrorists today extends far beyond the confines of Jammu & Kashmir and covers all parts of our country,” he said adding that though additional measures had been put in place after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks,there was “need for continued vigilance”. “The challenges posed by asymmetric warfare and terrorism as also the Left Wing Extremism can only be met through new ideas and more resolute actions and determination. We need to be ahead of the curve if we are to succeed as we must,” Singh said.

The security agencies needed to be prepared for encountering more sophisticated technologies and enhanced capabilities in dealing with the terrorist challenge,the PM said. “We also need to guard our sea frontier as vigilantly as our land border,” he said.

“We are all aware that most issues pertaining to internal security require a coordinated response by the Centre and the States acting in concert. The importance of this can not be over-emphasized. A piece meal approach will simply not work given the nature of challenges we face. Not only do we need more information sharing,we also need synchronized action. Let me assure all the States that the Centre will not be found wanting in this regard,” the PM told the gathering.

Underlining Left Wing Extremism (LWE) as a serious challenge,Singh said that naxalite groups had inflicted heavy casualties on security forces in the recent past and there were indications of more “offensive action by these groups”. “The problem of Left Wing extremism is indeed a complex one. There is a need for a balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it. On the one hand the State should discharge its responsibilities and obligations and re-establish the Rule of Law in areas dominated by the Naxalites. At the same time we should work towards removing the causes which lead to alienation of people and problems like Naxalism,” Singh said.

Stating that the situation in Jammu & Kashmir,during the past few years,had seen substantial improvement with figures of violence steadily declining and reaching an all-time low,the PM said that there were some “disturbing trends on the horizon”.”Levels of infiltration which had come down very substantially have seen a surge this year,alongside an increase in attempts at infiltration. The infiltrators appear more battle-hardened,better equipped,and in possession of sophisticated communications,” the PM said. He added that there were signs of a “revival of over-ground militant activities”. “Attempts are being made to link isolated and unconnected incidents ¿ such as those which occurred in Shopian,Sopore,Baramulla ¿ to create an impression of a groundswell of anti-national feeling. All this shows that efforts to disturb the current status quo have not been given up,” he said.

Acknowledging an “overall improvement” in the North East,the PM said that the situation in some states “particularly in Assam,Manipur and Nagaland remains problematic and worrisome”. “Assam and Manipur account for a disproportionately large number of violent incidents reported from the North East,with the latter’s share being as high as 30%. In Assam,the Centre had sanctioned an amount of Rs. 750 crore for development of Bodo areas. But the utilization of these funds remains unsatisfactory. The resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by the violence in the Bodo areas and North Cachar Hills is a matter of concern. Manipur is plagued by a large number of militant outfits. The Government of Manipur needs to put in place appropriate mechanisms for increased participation of people in developmental projects,” the PM said.

Requesting the Chief Ministers of all the North Eastern States to pay particular attention to the implementation of infrastructure projects,the PM underscored the need for more emphasis on pro-active State police forces rather than exclusive reliance on the Central Para Military Forces and Army. “The resources for policing need to be enhanced substantially. Manipur has increased the number of sanctioned posts at the police station level but a large number of them remain unfilled. All the States in the North East would do well to ensure the representation of all groups and communities in their police forces and carry out recruitment to these forces in a transparent manner,” Singh said.

Expressing satisfaction over the fact that no serious communal incidents had occurred during the past five years,Singh said that states like Maharashtra and Karnataka need to exercise greater vigil to maintain communal peace. “Karnataka,in particular,has witnessed a number of communal incidents during this year. What is more worrisome is that the incidents were not limited to one or two districts,” he said.

Recognizing the resource constraints faced by the States,the PM said that “ultimately we must all bear the burden of our shared sense of responsibility”. “It must also be recognized that there are limits to what the Central Government can provide. I hope that the expectations of the States from the Centre would be guided by a consciousness of their own obligations as well as a sense of practical realism,” he said.