INTERNAL SECURITY SCENARIO IN THE
COUNTRY CONTINUED TO CAUSE CONCERN DURING LAST YEAR
The internal security
scenario in the country during the year 2002-2003 continued to
be the cause of concern, which called for effective measures and
strategy to meet the complex challenges to internal security.
The steps included closer coordination among intelligence and
law enforcing agencies, proper and optimal use of manpower and
material resources, modernization of police force, better border
management and above all good governance. A clearly discerning
feature of the emerging security situation was, however, the blurring
of the line of distinction between external and internal security
mainly due to Pakistan’s continuing hostilities through proxy
war and its brazen attempt to exploit the fault lines wherever
it can find them throughout the country. Another feature which
disturbed was the use of some of the neighbouring countries by
terrorists and militants as sanctuaries and springboards for launching
subversive activities against India.
In its Annual
Report, the Home Ministry assessed that the major internal security
concern in the country centred around Pak-sponsored terrorism
in Jammu & Kashmir, inter-linked and externally supported
subversive activities of militant groups in the North-East. The
violence perpetrated by the Left-Wing extremist groups in States
like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Bihar also created ripples in the security set-up.
Trends in terrorism
during the year also pointed to incremental use of suicide bombers,
while the targeting witnessed a changeover from primarily civilians
to military sensitive targets, religious places and symbols of
national power. The attacks on the Raghunath Temple at Jammu and
Kaluchak in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and many other places
were manifestations of this macabre strategy. The suicide attacks
in quick succession in different parts of the world highlighted
the strong linkages between different terrorist groups operating
from the Pakistan-Afghanistan region.
Keeping in mind
the above scenario, the State Governments/Union Territories were
advised to strengthen security around vital installations. The
VVIP security was also reviewed. The State Governments were also
told to gear-up collection of intelligence in regard to sabotage,
subversive activities and attempts to disturb communal harmony.
The Report said
that as part of the integrated approach to combat terrorism in
the State of J&K, the Central Government took several measures
to offset the adverse impact of terrorism on the general public.
The main emphasis was on planned and balanced regional development
for building up physical and social infrastructure and improving
productive potential. A standing committee headed by the Cabinet
Secretary/Home Secretary was also constituted to monitor development
programmes.
The 15 years
of terrorism in the troubled State of J&K can be divided into
three phases. The first (1988-90) witnessed the rise of the Azadi
Groups, the second one (1991-95) was dominated by pro-Pak groups
and the present phase (from 1996) foreign mercenaries gradually
taking over the mantle of terrorism in the State. The report said
the local militants were either marginalized or inveigled into
supporting foreign elements that dominated the scene under the
direct control of Pak ISI. It was estimated that above 60-70%
of terrorists operating in the State now are from outside, with
the local people mainly playing the role of porters and guides.
The foreign mercenaries are more ruthless in killing innocent
civilians without a thought. The talibanisation of Afghanistan
also encouraged die-hard fundamentalist elements amongst the terrorist
groups. Another discerning feature of the present phase was the
increased activities of terrorists in Jammu region of J&K.
Repeated attempts
for infiltration through the porous border also continued. The
Pakistan Army also continued their shelling along the Border to
facilitate infiltration and ex-filtrations of the militants.
The successfully
completed Assembly Elections in Jammu & Kashmir has generated
a lot of hope in the people. People’s faith in democratic process
and institutions has been re-inforced after the conduct of free-fair
and credible elections in the State. The large voter turn out
clearly demonstrated that the people of J&K were tired of
violence and they yearned for peace, socio-economic development
and to be a vibrant part of the national main-stream. Pakistan
on the other hand is not inclined to allow any let up in its support
for cross border terrorism and apparently continue to keep the
terrorist pot boiling in J&K, the Report added.
Our security
forces, therefore, continue to maintain a high state of alert
along the border to take on the terrorists. The multi-pronged
strategy adopted by the Centre and the Government of J&K included
proactive tackling of cross-border terrorism with the help of
security forces, measures to facilitate accelerated economic development
and willingness to talk to all people and groups in J&K who
eschew the path of violence. Of late, therefore, the Centre has
appointed an inter-locutor to take up this task. The former Home
Secretary, Shri N.N. Vohra is already on the job.
Coming to North-East,
the region comprises the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Militancy in the North-East
is one of the oldest in India which surfaced from 1947. It continues
to plague the region in some form or other. The demands of various
militant groups vary from creation of separate States and also
total secession from India. The region is geo-politically very
sensitive. The armed hostilities in these Border States have been
consistently fuelled from trans-border basis across the long and
porous international border. The propaganda of militants has been
largely drawing its sustenance from the influx of illegal immigrants
mainly from Bangaldesh. This region has also witnessed a fast
demographic change because of this continued influx over the years
after the creation of Bangladesh.
However, the
Government has categorically rejected violence as an instrument
for resolving differences. The Centre, therefore, has invited
all those who have strayed from the part of peace and togetherness
to give up violence and come forward to talks within the framework
of the Indian Constitution. Some militant outfits have indeed
come forward for peace talks and ceasefires with such groups have
been continuously extended with a view to herald peace in this
region.
Punjab which
witnessed peace for a long time has again drawn focus. There are
inputs suggesting plans by terrorist based in foreign countries
to revive terrorism in the State. Terrorist elements based in
America and Canada are keen to register their presence and they
have been exploring possibility of engineering attacks on political
functionaries. There are also reports that Islamabad is making
efforts to revive sikh militancy in Punjab in a big way and the
ISI has assured its commitment to the revival of Khalistan movement.
The left wing
extremist movement also remained a cause for concern with naxalite
violence in States like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. A group-wise analysis of the activities
of Left-Wing Extremist groups in the country reveal an increase
in violent activities during the period.
The communal
situation in the country remained by & large peaceful barring
some sporadic incidents and the Godhra train carnage. The Centre
took immediate steps in advising the States to take necessary
measures to maintain peace and harmony. As a result such incidents
did not spread to other areas. The Centre on the recommendation
of the Group of Ministers (GOM) took several new measures for
strengthening internal security, revamping of the intelligence
apparatus and management of the borders. A new division was also
created in the Home Ministry for Border Management.
