rediff.com: PM calls for unified strategy on internal security

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee asserted on Saturday that the Centre's offer to initiate a dialogue with militant groups in Jammu & Kashmir would not undermine its determination to fight terrorism.

"On the contrary, we will act with added resolve, particularly in our effort to eliminate cross-border terrorism. There shall be no let-up in our fight against those who seek to harm India's unity and integrity," he told the first-ever conference of chief ministers on internal security in New Delhi.

Vajpayee called for the formulation of a national strategy to meet challenges to the country's internal security. Charging Pakistan with adopting cross-border terrorism as an instrument of state policy, he said challenges to internal security should no longer be seen as state-specific problems.

"The changed nature, magnitude and dimension of the threat to our internal security necessitates that both the Centre and the states pool their resources to formulate a national strategy and adopt effective tactics," he said.

Responding to a plea by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, the prime minister increased the allocation of funds to modernise police forces from Rs 2 billion in the last financial year to Rs 10 billion annually.

Asking state governments to come up with matching funds for the purpose, Vajpayee said, "With the people on our side, we can and we shall defeat diabolical external forces in a decisive manner."

Maintaining that the proxy war against India came to a head last year in the form of Pakistan's aggression in Kargil, he said, "There is an attempt to describe this cross-border terrorism as jehad [holy war], but we reject that suggestion. The threat we face today is nothing but state-sponsored terrorism by our neighbour."

Islamabad's aim "is not confined to Jammu & Kashmir's separation from India. Indeed, it is a sinister aim that targets India's unity and integrity," he said.

The prime minister listed inadequate police forces, insensitive civic administration and a dilatory criminal justice system as weaknesses that need to be addressed properly.

Besides, he said, large stretches of porous border are being used by Pakistan to send in terrorists, arms, drugs and infiltrators schooled in religious extremism.

"We no doubt need to manage our borders in a far better manner. Towards this end, we should actively consider ways and means of effectively using the BSF for border management," he said.

The prime minister assured the state governments that the Centre was prepared to extend all possible help in dealing with threats to internal security. "We are actively considering augmenting the strength of central forces and giving them effective equipment," he said.

Besides the chief ministers, the conference was attended by Home Minister Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Krishan Chandra Pant.

Vajpayee said the key to effectively facing the threat of terrorism and organised crime -- insurgency, extortion or extremist political violence -- lay in revamping state police forces and upgrading their fighting abilities.

"We have seen how a highly motivated and committed police force was instrumental in restoring peace in Punjab," he said, adding that poorly trained state police forces had to make do with outdated arms and communication equipment as against motivated criminals and terrorists having easy access to sophisticated equipment.

"Our first task, therefore, should be to strengthen the police force in each state so that the personnel have the courage and capability to fight and defeat the forces of terror," he said.

Earlier, welcoming the delegates, Advani said the question of internal security had acquired serious proportions in view of Pakistan's proxy war.

Referring to the recent attacks against minorities, he said the challenge to communal peace and harmony unleashed by extremist groups like the Pakistan-supported Deendar Anjuman had to be effectively met.


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