Modi demands white paper on internal security

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today demanded a white paper on the internal security situation in the country, which he said continues to be vulnerable to threats posed by cross border terrorism and left wing extremism; besides becoming increasingly susceptible to newer forms of security threats such as cyber-attacks, narco-terrorism and terror-financing.

He also criticized the UPA Government for raising a pitch for national security, but indulging only in political security.

Speaking at a conference on internal security convened by the Government of India under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in the presence of various Chief Ministers at Vigyan Bhawan here, Modi affirmed that a two-pronged strategy must be followed to tackle left-wing extremism.

"We do not have a pre-emptive strategy, but only a reactionary strategy. There is an urgent need to not only focus upon Maoist violence-affected states, but also on Maoist violence-targeted regions," he said.

"From Pashupati to Tirupati, Maoists have spread a bloodied red corridor. Now, they are targeting areas of the country which are the drivers of the industrial progress of the country," he added.

He said he had earlier informed the Prime Minister about left-wing extremists potentially targeting the 'Golden Corridor', that includes the Pune-Mumbai-Ahmedabad industrial belt.

He demanded that the Central Government must convene a separate meeting of representatives of Maoist-targeted states.

Modi also urged the Prime Minister to disband the NCTC proposal once and for all.

The Gujarat Chief Minister asserted that the Centre is constantly weakening the federal structure in the name of setting up newer superstructures.

He further stated that this will add to the multiplicity of existing agencies and will destroy the Constitutional fabric of the well-established agencies in the country.

He cited the example of how MAC (Multi Agency Centre) was established under the Intelligence Bureau, but now, it is proposed to be shifted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"There remains considerable scope for further strengthening of its functioning such that it can provide more actionable intelligence inputs on a real time basis," he said.

On the issue of modernising the police force in the context of funding, many states had made a special request for 100 per cent central funding of the MPF Scheme central funding of the MPF Scheme and not burdening the State Government with a 25 per cent share. But, the Union government instead of agreeing to the same, chose to increase the state share from 25 per cent to 40 per cent. Is this how GoI react to the suggestions of State Governments, he questioned.

Modi pointed out that to strengthen Gujarat's coastal security mechanism, a Marine Commando Battalion has been created, with its recruitment already underway.

In order to setting up of a Marine Police Training Academy in Gujarat, the Union Home Ministry had initially asked for 25 acres of land to set up such a training academy, which the Gujarat Government had promptly responded to, agreeing to provide it for free. Subsequently, the requirement of land was increased to 250 acres. This too the Government of Gujarat conveyed willingness to provide for free - identifying the land in Dwarka, in Jamnagar district.

He asked the Central government to call a separate meeting of Chief Ministers of all maritime states to discuss all such issues related to coastal and maritime security in a comprehensive manner.

The Gujarat Chief Minister suggested entrusting border fencing to an organization created along the lines of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) - a company of defence personnel / engineering corps to undertake such work instead of the present CPWD.

He further emphasized that to strengthen border security, solar parks should come up on international borders of Gujarat and Rajasthan, making the borders of India more secure and also benefitting the energy sector of the country.

Modi also demanded speedy implementation of the recommendations of Sarkaria Commission and Punchchi Commission on settling the inter-state conflicts and Centre-States disputes in an amicable manner.

Modi opined that a strong message should emanate from this meeting that the entire country supports the state of Chhattisgarh and its Chief Minister Raman Singh. He further stressed on zero tolerance towards left-wing extremism.

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Rajanikant Patel, Principal Secretary G.C.Murmu (Law and Order), Amitabh Pathak, Director General of Police and Resident Commissioner Bharat Lal attended the meeting.