The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh addressing the Governors of all states has indicated the measures the government has taken on various fronts. Here is an excerpt from his speech relating to internal security.

“The year 2012 saw clear signs of improvement in the internal security situation, including in Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and left-wing extremism affected areas. However, there is a lot which still needs to be done. I have paid particular attention to the remarks of the Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and North Eastern States on security issues. N.N. Vohra, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, has made some suggestions for more coherent action on the part of security agencies which I think are well worth exploring. Similarly, there have been suggestions from Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, General J.J. Singh about border roads, porter tracks and suspension bridges. He as well as other Governors have suggested strengthening of the Border Roads Organisation and improving infrastructure in our border areas. The suggestion of Governor of Assam and some other Governors of North-eastern states to accelerate the pace of fencing along the Indo-Bangladesh Border also has merit.

“The Government has taken several steps for the improvement of mechanisms and instrumentalities to counter terrorism. These include strengthening of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and the Subsidiary Multi Agency Centre (SMAC), creation of four new hubs of the National Security Guard (NSG), construction of coastal police stations and provision of high technology boats, setting up of the National Investigation Agency, and creation of NATGRID. The passage of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (Amendment) Bill in Parliament has given more teeth to the extant antiterror regime and is at par with international standards.

“In a secular polity that India is, the need for maintaining communal harmony can hardly be overemphasised. Both the Centre and states have to pursue a well-coordinated strategy to achieve this objective. To meet the entire spectrum of security challenges, the capabilities of both the armed forces and the police forces are being constantly strengthened through provision of cutting-edge technology and modern platforms.

“Our strategy for dealing with the menace of left-wing extremism is two-pronged. Even as we have intensified operations against the extremists, we have also endeavoured to bridge the development and governance deficit in the left-wing extremist affected area, many of which have predominantly tribal populations. The steps we have taken include deploying additional Central forces, raising specialised forces, strengthening police stations and imparting training to state police personnel in counter-insurgency, jungle warfare and antiterrorism operations. The need for greater inter-state coordination in operations against left-wing extremists was emphasised by Governor of Andhra Pradesh E.S.L. Narasimhan.

“The Integrated Action Plan for 82 select and backward districts, most of which are affected by left-wing extremism, is beginning to show encouraging results. Road connectivity in these districts is also being improved. We have also taken steps to streamline the process for vesting of forest rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act to the entitled people.

“Due to all these efforts, the geographical spread of the menace of left-wing extremism has shown a shrinking trend. Further, the number of incidents of left-wing extremist violence in 2012 showed perceptible decline compared with the previous year. However, much more remains to be done and we will make all efforts to accomplish what we still have to do. As has been pointed out by Governor of Assam, the expansion of Maoist activities to upper and lower Assam is worrisome.”