The Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde who has completed one year as Home Minister, in his report has listed out various initiatives taken by the ministry to ensure that India becomes a secure nation.

With regard to internal security, he said that terrorist activities in the hinterland continue to remain a threat. During the period from August 2012 to July 2013, four incidents of bomb blasts took place. In 2013, there have been three incidents of bomb blasts: first in Hyderabad in which 17 persons died, the second in Bengaluru in which there was no casualty and the third in Bodh Gaya in which no casualty was reported. We have agreed to the request of the Bihar Chief Minister for handing over the security of Bodh Gaya Complex to Central industrial Security Force (CISF).

The National Investigating Agency (NIA) has been asked/entrusted to investigate 30 cases relating to terrorist activities/bomb blasts. Out of these 30 cases, the government has issued sanction of prosecution in 19 cases. Also during this period, two NIA Special Courts have been notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Northeast initiatives

He said that in July 2012, an unfortunate incident of violence took place between two communities in July. More than 4.85 lakh persons, who were staying in 340 camps due to violence, were rehabilitated and all camps were closed by March 31, 2013. Talks on the demands of ULFA are being held on regular basis. Talks with NDFB (P) are continuing. Talks with NDFB (RD Group) are also continuing.

In Meghalaya, he said an agreement has been reached with the Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) mainly enhancing autonomy of the existing Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya. The agreement is being placed before the government for approval. In Manipur, a new special scheme for surrender-cumrehabilitation of militants in the state of Manipur has been framed and implemented from December 1, 2012. The benefits/incentives include immediate grant of Rs. 2.5 lakh, monthly stipend of Rs. 4000 for 36 months, incentives for surrendered weapons, imparting vocational training to those surrendering and establishment of rehabilitation camps. Three Meitei insurgent groups in Manipur have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of India and the state government of Manipur and laid down their arms.

Left-Wing Extremism

The Minister said in the current year (up to June 30), 591 incidents of LWE violence occurred with 202 resultant deaths, as against 883 incidents with 245 deaths reported during the corresponding period of 2012. Construction/strengthening of Fortified Police Stations Scheme is under implementation in LWE affected states, under which 400 police stations/outposts have been sanctioned in the 9 LWE affected states at Rs. 2 crore per police station on 80:20 (Centre share: state share) basis. Under the scheme, an amount of Rs. 370 crore have so far been released to nine naxal affected states. The construction work has started in almost 300 locations. Keeping in view the prevalence of usage of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the CPI (Maoist) and the resultant damage involved in such incidents, a standard operating procedure (SOP) on issues related to explosives/IEDs/landmines in naxal affected areas has been prepared in consultation with agencies concerned and has been shared with LWE affected states and CAPFs in June 2013.

Security Situation in Jammu and Kashmir

“The security situation in J&K has improved,” he said. The number of terrorist incidents upto June this year has declined over the previous year. There is however increase in the casualties of security forces as well as in casualities of the civilians. In a major setback to the terrorists, Army and security forces, in joint operations in December 2012 eliminated 14 terrorists (including eight foreign terrorists) operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

Coastal security

The MHA has been implementing Coastal Security Scheme in phases (Phase-I - 2005-11 and Phase-II – 2011–15) with a view to strengthen the infrastructure of the Marine Police Force and patrolling and surveillance of coastal areas, particularly shallow areas close to the coast. The scheme also aims at establishing institutional arrangements at state and district level for coordination among various agencies including the Coast Guard and the Navy. Under the Phase-II of the Scheme (over a period of five years at a cost of Rs. 1,580 crore), it has been proposed to provide 131 Marine Police Stations, 60 jetties, 10 Marine Operation Centres, 150 boats (12 tonnes), 20 boats (5 tonnes), 20 (19 m) boats, 35 rigid inflatable boats, 10 large vessels (for Andaman and Nicobar Islands), 131 four wheelers and 242 motorcycles. Against an allocation of Rs. 1,580 crore for five years under Phase-II, Rs. 97.57 crore has already been released to coastal states/union territories (UTs) for starting the construction work, purchase of vehicles and operationalisation of coastal police stations.

Border security issues

The Minister said that the government has sanctioned 27 ITBP priority roads along Indo-China border totalling 805 km, against which 564.90 km formation and 273.61 km surfacing has been completed. Against the sanctioned 3,359.59 km of fencing along Indo-Bangladesh border, 2,784.41 km of fencing has been completed. Against the sanctioned 2,840.90 km of floodlighting along Indo-Bangladesh border, 1,535 km of flood lighting has been completed. Against the sanctioned 4,407.11 km of roads along Indo-Bangladesh border, 3,585.53 km has been completed. The government has sanctioned 2,043.63 km of fencing along Indo-Pakistan border, out of which 1,958.50 km has been completed. Similarly, of the 2,009.52 km of floodlighting along Indo-Pak border, 1,900.92 km has been completed.