PM’S
SPEECH AT THE DGPs/IGPs CONFERENCE
The Prime Minister,
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has called for keeping up the efforts
of security forces to get the better of the militancy. Speaking
at the DGPs and IGPs Conference here today, Shri Vajpayee said
that Pakistan must be held accountable for its continued sponsorship
of terrorism in India and our diplomatic initiatives should be
intensified to remind the leading nations of the international
coalition against terrorism about their pledge in this regard.
Commending the various
state police forces, paramilitary forces, intelligence agencies
and the Army for their role in dealing with the militancy, the
Prime Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment for the
welfare of families of the policemen who laid down their lives
in the line of duty. Shri Vajpayee emphasised that police forces
must remain apolitical, neutral and free of sectarian, regional
or any other kind of bias.
The following is the text of the
Prime Minister’s speech on the occasion:
"I am happy to be
with you once again. This annual conference gives me an opportunity
to interact with you on matters pertaining to the country’s internal
security and the role of the police in ensuring the integrity
of the nation and the safety of its citizens.
At the outset, my
hearty congratulations to the recipients of the President’s Police
Medal for Distinguished Service. This singular honour has been
conferred on you for the consistently high level of professional
excellence exhibited by you in the discharge of your duty, often
working anonymously and under extremely challenging circumstances.
The Government reposes a great deal of faith and confidence in
dedicated and meritorious officers like you.
I would also take
this opportunity to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families
of those brave colleagues of yours who have sacrificed their lives
in the service of the nation. Let us spare no effort to see that
these martyrs’ families are well looked after. Let us rededicate
ourselves to the task of preservation of the integrity and security
of our country and ensure that our fallen colleagues have not
died in vain.
Friends,
the relative importance of internal security in national security
has grown considerably in the past two decades. In the early decades
of Independence, issues of internal security pertained mainly
to law and order and were, largely, local in nature. In contrast,
now the main threat to our internal security – namely, cross-border
terrorism, fueled by religious extremism – draws its ideological
sustenance, organizational patronage and operational support from
outside our borders. To overcome this challenge, we have to fight
our battle at various levels and with multiple means – diplomatically,
politically, ideologically and, of course, on the ground with
intelligence and firepower.
The past year has
seen India make steady advances on all these fronts. This has
made our adversary grow desperate. And desperation is leading
it to become more and more dastardly in its losing war of terrorism
against India.
The terrorist attack
on India’s Parliament, preceded by an attack on the Jammu &
Kashmir Assembly building in Srinagar, the carnage of innocent
men, women and children in Kaluchak, Kasim Nagar and, most recently,
the bloody sacrilege at the Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar –
all these signs of our enemy’s desperation. Needless to say, a
good part of this desperation owes to the growing successes gained
by our security forces in turning the heat on terrorist outfits
and infiltration from across the border. I would like to specifically
recognize the signal contribution of the police in conducting
successful anti-terrorist operations.
In describing this
phase of our battle, I recently stated that "terrorism is
breathing its last breath". This has been misunderstood,
or rather literally understood, in some quarters. The fact of
the matter is that the world opinion has turned against terrorism
in an unprecedented manner. The barbaric incidents of September
11 have opened the eyes of the global community to the grave threat
that terrorism, fueled by religious extremism, poses to peace
and stability in the world. In Afghanistan, the world community
has clearly seen what happens to terrorism ultimately.
Worldwide, terrorism
is being considered an evil per se, since the killing of
innocent women, men and children cannot be justified on any ground.
It has also become clear that terrorists are not social or political
revolutionaries fired by any noble, universal ideals. It is increasingly
recognized that terrorists have no religion; and that they actually
commit blasphemy when they commit heinous crimes in the name of
religion.
Thus, terrorism has
failed to find any place in the conscience of human society. And
what is rejected by society, cannot have an enduring life. Those
who continue to support it will doubtlessly get isolated from
the rest of humanity. It is in this sense, that I had remarked
that terrorism is breathing its last breath.
Of course, before
it actually dies and disappears from the world as a political
instrument, it will continue to commit many more depredations.
Therefore, we have to become more vigilant against this menace,
and more determined to stamp it out.
Distinguished
police officers,
The situation in
Jammu and Kashmir is at a turning point. I am confident that the
State will leave the nightmare of militancy behind and return
to peace, normalcy and development. We have seen it happen in
Punjab, where the police and security forces, with the cooperation
of the people, ultimately overcame the challenge of militancy.
In Jammu & Kashmir,
we had pledged to hold free and fair elections to the State Assembly.
The polling in the first two rounds so far has borne out this
commitment. There was widespread fear psychosis created terrorist
organizations backed by Pakistan. There were killings of candidates
and political activists, intimidation of voters, calls for poll
boycott. However, the people of Jammu & Kashmir braved all
this to once again demonstrate that the bullet cannot defeat the
ballot in a democracy.
I would be failing
in my duty if I did not compliment the State Police, various para-military
forces, the Army and the Intelligence agencies for doing a difficult
and challenging job well. It was largely owing to their untiring
and sustained good work that the electoral exercise in Jammu &
Kashmir could be undertaken despite the terrorist threats to disrupt
the process.
This will, however,
not put an end to jehadi terrorism in that State. Therefore, our
security forces will have to continue their good work on the ground
to get the better of militancy. Simultaneously, we will intensify
our diplomatic initiatives to remind the leading nations of the
international coalition against terrorism that they must redeem
their pledge to combat and defeat terrorism everywhere, irrespective
of the cause it espouses. Which means, that Pakistan must be held
accountable for its continued sponsorship of terrorism in India.
In several places
in the North-East, we have been able to adopt a number of measures
to bring the militants and insurgents back to the mainstream.
Peace efforts with the NSCN/IM in Nagaland have made headway.
Similar efforts are also on with the Bodos. I am happy to say,
here also we have made considerable progress in working towards
an amicable solution. Negotiations with a militant group from
Karbi Anglong district of Assam have also been initiated. On a
parallel track, we are trying to speed up all-round economic and
infrastructural development in the North-East.
I commend the various
state police forces, para-military forces, intelligence agencies
and the Army for having done an exemplary job in the North-East
in neutralizing a large number of militants, exposing their international
linkages, fund raising networks and supply routes of military
hardware.
It is a matter of
concern that Left-wing extremism is spreading its tentacles in
many parts of Central and Eastern States. It is also true that
some States like Andhra Pradesh have undertaken sustained anti-extremist
operations with fair degree of success. The affected States should
pool their intelligence and experience, and undertake coordinated
operations, on a sustained basis.
Friends,
because terrorist and subversive forces can strike anywhere, the
role of the police and state intelligence agencies in neutralizing
them has become crucial. In addition, you are also called upon,
from time to time, to tackle communal and caste strife, foil social
and economic disorder, and deal with organized crime and white
collar offences. You will agree with me that there is an urgent
need for improving your performance in these functions.
What are the areas
where improvements are required?
First, we must ensure
a very high level of motivation and professional competence among
the police – not just matching but surpassing that of the adversaries.
Second, they must
remain apolitical, neutral, and free of sectarian, regional or
any other kind of bias. They must consciously try to earn the
trust of all sections of our society. In doing so, they not only
become better policemen, but will also serve as a binding force
for our diverse society.
This is especially
true in areas sensitive to communal and caste tension. I appeal
to you, the police leadership, to spare no pains in inculcating
in your men a sense of duty for protecting communal harmony in
the country. You should ensure that not even a small section of
the police force gets carried away in a time of provocation.
Third, I cannot overemphasise
the importance of training and re-training of our police, especially
at the lower and middle levels. This aspect is much neglected
in many States. I am told that, at the time of Independence, the
professional competence of the provincial police forces in some
States was almost as high as the Central forces’. Unfortunately,
there has been much decline in this over the years. I urge the
State Governments and, especially, the leadership of the police
forces, to take urgent measures to arrest and reverse this situation.
Fourth, intelligence
sharing between the Centre and the States and among States themselves
is another area where much improvement is possible. As you are
aware, in the aftermath of the Kargil War, a Group of Ministers
undertook a detailed review of the functioning of our intelligence
agencies. Its recommendations are now under implementation. Additional
resources have also been approved. Closer interaction between
the Central and State Police and intelligence outfits has been
initiated. I am told that the response to this joint endeavour
has been extremely encouraging.
However, I cannot
help express my deep disappointment over the poor utilization
of the Rs. 1000 crore fund made available for the Scheme for Modernization
of State Police Forces. The utilization in some States is nil!
This situation is unacceptable, intolerable.
One suggestion is
that the Central Government gives a good part of the fund in kind
– weaponry, wireless sets, etc. – to States. Another is to increase
the Central Government’s role, with attendant financial responsibility,
in training the police personnel. I would like the Home Ministry
to review the working of this Scheme, identify the bottlenecks,
and introduce corrective measures soon.
Before I conclude,
I would like to briefly touch upon one issue which is of much
concern to the citizenry. And that is the image of the police
in the public eye. I urge upon you to consider with all seriousness
every possible means to make the police responsive to the needs
of the common people, the simple village folk dotted across the
country. The image of the police of being brutal and insensitive
has to give way to a people friendly one. The man in the street,
the weak, the infirm and the poorest of the poor must feel safe
and comfortable to approach the police whenever he is in need
of help, especially against the breakers of law.
A majority of police
personnel are undoubtedly honest and people-friendly. However,
it is the misdeeds of some which often sully the reputation of
the entire police force. You are the leaders of the police force
in States. You know what corrective steps to take. I only urge
you to take them with a sense of urgency and purpose.
With these words,
I convey my best wishes to your conference".