Noting that the internal security situation in the country remained a cause for concern, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Thursday that there was need to go beyond conventional responses to face terrorist threats.
"The internal security situation in our country continues to remain a cause of concern for both the central and state governments," the prime minister said at the four-day conference of Directors and Inspectors General of Police, organised by the Intelligence Bureau.
"We need to take a hard look at their functioning. We must make them more accountable," he said.
The prime minister spoke about the formidable internal security challenges in the light of recent terror attacks in Hyderabad, Naxalite activities in Andhra Pradesh and violence in the Northeast.While the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has shown some improvement, violent incidents keep recurring, said Dr Singh.
"And last but not least, we are seeing many incidents of vigilantism and citizens taking the law into their own hands, particularly in Bihar. While some of it could be a result of personal frustration, some of it also arises out of dissatisfaction over the functioning of the law enforcement and justice system," he said.
Speaking about the increasing number of terrorist attacks, Dr Singh said, "Terrorism has become a global phenomenon of our times. In terrorist organisations, you face determined, committed and highly motivated adversaries working with evil intent. We need to go far beyond conventional responses in facing terrorist threats."
Referring to the Naxalite violence, he said a greater commitment was needed to eliminate the threat. "The police forces need to redouble their effort to control the spread of this phenomenon," he said.
Some states like Andhra Pradesh have demonstrated that where there is a will, there is a way forward, while other states need to work with determination and in tandem to eliminate this menace, Singh said.
The prime minister said the country needed better police forces, be it training, skills, equipment, resources, mobility or attitudes. "We need superior intelligence capabilities which can alert us about impending threats. We need greater discipline, lesser politicisation and zero corruption," he said.
Speaking about the urgent need for reforms in the Criminal Justice System, he referred to reports of Justice Malimath Committee and Madhav Menon panel and said, "We must move speedily and with determination to make the required changes in the criminal justice system".
He said the National Police Mission should help in the creation of a new vision for the police force and bring about a paradigm shift in their working.
The prime minister said that with increasing urbanisation of the country, there was a rise in white collar crimes. "Are we tackling these problems adequately," he questioned.
Observing that people wanted a secure environment, he said that people should be willing to approach a policeman, "with the same assurance with which they visit a doctor".
Advocating a hard look at police functioning, Singh said "We must make them more accountable, enhance skills and competency at the grassroots, where people come in contact with police. We must also make better use of science and technology in police functioning, making them more technologically capable and equipped".
Suggesting that the Police Mission study modern policing issues, like community policing, Singh said he would like the mission to come forward with practical solutions to problems like non-registration of FIRs.
He said the Mission may also examine new methodologies of crowd dispersal and develop a more user-friendly police uniform. The Mission should reflect on the new inter-state and trans-national ramifications of crime besides studying the Centre-State dimension of internal security administration.
