November 20, 2001

'5'

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON ANTHRAX AND FIGHT AGAINST MILITANCY

    The Lok Sabha was informed that the Government has considered the possibility of foreign groups targeting India with anthrax bacteria. The Centre has issued a detailed circular to all States and Union Territories containing a list of biological agents used as weapons, along with signs and symptoms, likely method of dissemination, incubation period, lethality and the availability of vaccines, anti-microbial therapy and treatment. They have been requested to earmark maximum number of beds for emergency/contingency, stocking of vaccines/sera/drugs to the extent possible and setting up of special teams of doctors for coordinated action. It was also requested that these Teams should be sensitized on the impact of such weapons and treatment measures.

    A general awareness campaign regarding Anthrax has been launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    In addition, all States/Union territories have been sensitized to remain vigilant to the merging threats to internal security and to have contingency plans in readiness to deal with any eventuality, including precautions against weapons of mass destruction. The Minister of State for Home for Shri Ch. Vidyasagar Rao gave this information in a written reply in the House.

    To another question the Minister said modernization/upgradation of security agencies including State Police Organizations for effectively dealing with terrorist and other subversive activities of anti-national/militant elements is a continuous process Financial assistance is provided to the State Government for modernization of their police forces including procurement of latest weaponry and other equipment. Weaponry, transport and communication systems of Central Para Military Forces are also being modernized and their training being upgraded to better equip them to deal with terrorist and insurgency situations. Central assistance is also provided to the State Governments for raising India Reserve Battalions and wherever necessary Central Para Military Forces are also deployed to assist the State Police. Internal security situation is periodically reviewed with the concerned State Government and intelligence inputs are shared for effectively dealing with terrorists/militants in the country. As a result of these coordinated efforts security agencies have been able to neutralize a lot of Pak backed modules.

    After the terrorist attacks on WTC, New York, Ministry of Home Affairs has issued instructions to the State Governments and the concerned Ministries for strengthening of security arrangements of airports and other vital installations, historical monuments of national importance, important Government establishments and major centers of religious, business and commercial importance. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has already been deployed on 23 airports in the country and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been constituted at sensitive airports and major installations in the country to deal with any strikes by militants or insurgent groups. State Governments have also been advised to strengthen the intelligence set up and co-ordinate with central intelligence agencies.