Every terrorist and every terrorist group will be pursued and brought before the law and punished

"We all need to be conscious of the fact that serious challenges and threats -- primarily from left-wing extremism, cross-border terrorism, religious fundamentalism and ethinic violence -- still persist," Singh said in his inaugural address.

He also said he was happy to note that the National Investigative Agency, created in the aftermath of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, has gained much ground "in unravelling the activities of new terror groups", besides unearthing the fake indian currency networks operating from across borders.

Chidambaram, who was complimented by the PM for better internal security situation, said, "there are a number of modules operating within the country; and new groups have raised their heads that are suspected to be behind some terrorist attacks that took place in recent years".

Stating that one cannot shy away from naming these groups or exposing their designs, the home minister said, "Whatever their religious affiliations, I have no hesitation in condemning every group that resorts to terror as a means of advancing dubious religious causes or fundamentalist goals. Our policy in this regard is clear: every terrorist and every terrorist group will be pursued and brought before the law and punished."

Asked by reporters later as to what he meant by saying "new groups", Chidambaram avoided any elaboration saying, "I have already said in my speech what I had to say".

The PM in his inaugural speech also urged states "to have much greater coordination of responsers and resources between Central and state forces", asking them "to consider increasing the number of joint operations by state police forces" with the assistance of Central forces.

Singh also asked Chidambaram to make Delhi Police a model for other state forces to emulate by taking steps like friendly policing and stressed on the need to have "guidelines" for community policing. 

We are aware that many police commissions have made various recommendations on police reforms. I urge the States to seriously look into this aspect

“We cannot continue to police our society with archaic laws and policing systems. We are aware that many police commissions have made various recommendations on police reforms. I urge the States to seriously look into this aspect,” he said.
“I would like the Ministry of Home Affairs to carry forward this exercise to its logical conclusion in the Union Territory of Delhi during the coming years so that Delhi Police becomes a model for other State police forces to emulate,” Prime Minister said.
“While the central and the State intelligence agencies are at work, we need to recognise a very significant fact that the best, actionable and prompt intelligence on internal security often comes from the police stations.
“But people will come forth to give information to the local policeman, only when they see him as a friend. We need to closely examine the functioning of police stations and bring forth changes to make policemen truly people friendly,” he said while inaugurating Chief Minister’s conference on internal security here.
The Prime Minister said, “We need to take three pronged action on community policing, police reforms and informed use of technology respectively to make this happen.”

He asked the Centre and the states to work together to formulate guidelines for community policing.

“Bridging the gap of mistrust that exists between the police and community will go a long way in collecting actionable intelligence. This also brings me to the idea of involving the academia and professionals, who are experts in the field of data mining and cyber security, in policing,” Dr. Singh added.

My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build at the central and state levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism

“There is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past,” Mr Chidambaram said while addressing a conference of police chiefs. 


“My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build at the central and state levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism,” he said in his inaugural address to the 45th meet of the chiefs of state police and central paramilitary forces here. 

Sounding upbeat about the falling levels of violence in the north-eastern states, Mr Chidambaram said the region accounted for the government’s best record of achievement. “...In 2010, we have seen a dramatic decline in the number of incidents and in the number of casualties. 

My duty is to ensure that laws adopted by Parliament are obeyed and enforced.

“Whoever is the cause of the crime, an individual or a collective, must be punished. My duty is to ensure that laws adopted by Parliament are obeyed and enforced. Once the law is made, it must be enforced. Those involved must be punished,” 

Without directly naming the Khap panchayat’s (village councils) that generally approve honour killings, the Union minister said the proposed law would define honour killings and take within its sweep cases of forcing women to strip in public and expelling people from villages.

“Acts which are humiliating will be punished with severity.”

He added that such cases bring ‘dishonour to the families, the community and the country’.

Mostly village councils in rural India, particularly in northern states, award death sentence to couples or even their entire families in they go for same caste or clan marriages.

A Group of Ministers (GoM0 has already been set up by the Cabinet to consider a draft bill.

“I am confident that the GoM will give its report shortly and my intention is to introduce the bill in this session itself,” Chidambaram said.

Whether the new law would be a stand-alone one or would the Indian Penal Code or the Criminal Procedure Code be amended would be debated by the Union Cabinet, he added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, expressing concern at the growing menace of honour killings, said, “It is a dehumanising process and we have to take it very seriously.”

We are willing to talk to our own people.

“But we are always prepared to meet everyone who is willing to meet us. The Prime Minister said he favours a dialogue with all groups. Chief Minister of the State is encouraged to meet all groups. Talking to our won people — what is the reservation? There is no reservation at all.

Primary role and responsibility to fight Left-wing extremism lay with the state governments

The central government, he said, will assist the states in "every way - including deploying central paramilitary forces, sharing intelligence and funding - for both development schemes and security needs".


"The government is confident that the problem of Left-wing extremism will be met with determination and overcome in the next three years," Chidambaram said at the third meeting of the panel on the Maoist problem.


It was agreed to continue with the two-pronged strategy of development and police action.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has repeatedly described the Maoist problem as the "gravest" security threat India faces.

According to home ministry data, the Leftist rebels have carried out at least 500 attacks, killing nearly 350 people in nine states in the last three months. Chhattisgarh has recorded the highest number of such strikes, parliament was told on Wednesday.

Describing the Maoists, the Home Minister said that, they conduct their business in violation of the laws, they collect rents, but don’t pay taxes and direct that money against the State.

He also stressed that Naxal affected states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh needed some more time to built, as those states are passing through a very difficult phase.

Expressing unhappiness with the progress of the anti-naxal operations, Chidambaram said that he was not fully satisfied with the results. He admitted that there are some areas where the security forces need to be more active.

Sonia for tougher law against violence in the name of religion and caste

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was not convinced about its present form, had also suggested changes to make it tougher for those instigating caste and communal violence. The draft Bill would be ready soon with the changes.

Mr. Chidambaram said it was not acceptable to hear news of communal and caste violence even after several years of Independence. It could not be digested if the violence happened in the land where great leaders such as Periyar, Anna, Kamaraj lived and preached the ideals of social and communal harmony.

The proposed law would play a lead role in preventing violence. It would enable law enforcers to take stringent measures against those instigating and organising communal violence.

Let not criticism – sometimes justified, often unjustified -- deter or demoralise you

Chhattisgarh is going through a difficult time. In the last 8 weeks, there have been 28 major incidents of violence in this State. Many lives have been lost; many more have been injured. I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and I pray for the recovery of the injured. I wish to tell the people of Chhattisgarh that, in this period of difficulty, the Central Government stands by you. We are ready and willing to render all assistance possible in order that Chhattisgarh will be able to overcome the challenges to the security of its people.

Policing a country of over 1.1 billion people is not an easy task. Policing a country in a troubled neighbourhood makes the task more difficult. And policing a country with insufficient police stations and inadequate and ill-equipped police forces makes the task almost formidable. Today, therefore, I wish to share with you some thoughts on the state of policing in India and ask you, in this Congress spread over three days, to reflect on the subject.

Let me begin with the size of the State police forces. I shall use broad and approximate numbers. According to figures given to the Central Government, the total number of sanctioned posts as on March 31, 2010, in all ranks, is about 21 lakhs. Of these, about 3,35,000 posts are vacant. Thus, the police: population ratio for the whole country is about 160 per 100,000 persons. This ratio, much lower than the international norm, conceals more than it reveals. It is an average. In a State like Bihar the number is about 75; in UP it is about 115; in Andhra Pradesh it is about 125; in Orissa it is about 135; in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, two States most affected by Left Wing Extremism, the number is about 205.

Further, the distribution of the police force among the police stations is badly skewed. First of all, there are not enough police stations. Even where there is a police station, the strength of the police force in a station is often no more than 20 persons. In some of the districts most affected by Left Wing Extremism, the police station exists only in name. I do not wish to name the States or the police stations but, believe me, there are police stations where the Station House has been blown up; there are police stations where there are no more than 8 men; and even these 8 or less men do not hold any weapons for fear of the weapons being looted. You will recall the case of Lalgarh police station in district West Midnapore in West Bengal. That police station was closed – and locked from the inside – for several months until the CRPF ‘liberated’ it.

Let me turn to the training imparted to our police forces in the States. Most States have barely sufficient capacity to impart basic training to newly recruited constables. It is not often realised that the capacity of the training institutes limits the number of constables that can be recruited in any year in that State. The result is that States are barely able to recruit the number of policemen and women necessary to fill vacancies that arise due to normal attrition – retirement, resignation, disablement or death. How will States be able to add to the net strength of their Police Forces? Unless capacity is increased manifold, States will not be able to fill the huge number of vacancies – estimated at 3,35,000 – and increase their sanctioned strength. Hence, the first order of business is to enhance the capacity of training institutes in the States to at least double the present capacity and to recruit at least double the number of policemen and women that are being recruited, at present, every year.

Even if the States do that, that would only take care of basic training. That basic training is not adequate to meet the new challenges to security such as terrorism, insurgency and Left Wing Extremism. Besides, specialised schools are necessary to train the police forces in forensic investigation, detective training, intelligence gathering, cyber crime and so on. I do not find States addressing these new and growing requirements. So far as the Central Government is concerned, in order to assist the State Governments, we have decided to set up one Central Academy for Police Training (CAPT) with a capacity to train 2,600 personnel; two Central Detective Training Schools (CDTS), each with a capacity to train 400 personnel; and twenty Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terrorist Schools (CIAT) each with a capacity to train 1,000 personnel, in a year. While CAPT and CDTS will take some time to be established, three CIAT schools are operational and twelve more are likely to be completed in the current year. You will note that all of the above adds to a total training capacity of 23,400 personnel per year, and that is hardly sufficient for a force level of nearly 21 lakhs for all the States put together. Obviously, more needs to be done, and this can be done only if the States set apart more resources for augmenting training capacity.

The Central Government had also urged the States to adopt the salient recommendations of the National Police Commission. Some of these recommendations, I may remind you, are mandatory by an order of the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the progress is halting. Let me take three recommendations: enactment of a new Police Act based on the Model Police Act; constitution of a State Police Establishment Board and setting up a Police Complaints Board. Only twelve States have enacted a new Police Act, only fourteen States have constituted the Police Establishment Board and only ten States have set up the Police Complaints Board. I am afraid there is a long distance to go before we can say that the States have implemented the recommendations of the National Police Commission.

I shall conclude my remarks with a brief reference to technology. Technology is the best force multiplier. It also relieves police personnel from routine and repetitive chores and allows them to concentrate on tasks that require application of intelligence, analysis, forecasting and planning. Technology can be inducted quickly into functions such as surveillance, communication, data management, inventory management and personnel management. Advanced technologies are available and can be used for data collation and correlation, data mining, analysis and prediction. Towards these objectives, the Central Government is implementing, in collaboration with the State Governments, the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project that will lay the basic framework and provide the connectivity throughout the country. NATGRID will employ advanced technology and help take the quality of policing to a higher level. And when the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) is set up, that body will also induct very advanced technologies into its processes and functions.

I am conscious of the fact that what I have stated so far is not an exposition of any subject that would qualify as a ‘science’. It may be more appropriate to describe the matters on which I have spoken as belonging to the realm of ‘commonsense’. Later today, and in the next two days, you will discuss matters relating to modernisation, counter terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, data management and future policing. I want you to know that despite criticism from every quarter – from hapless citizen to arm chair pundit, from defence lawyer to learned judge, from political parties to civil society organisations and from editorial writers to television anchors – you should be proud to wear your uniform and perform your duties. Because, when hit by a crisis or a tragedy, everyone – and I mean everyone -- turns to the police. More often than not the presence of a policeman is reassuring. More often than not the deployment of the police force restores law and order and security. More often than not the policeman turns out to be a friend and protector. And, let us remember, in a conflict situation, the person most likely to make the supreme sacrifice is a policeman. Therefore, let not criticism – sometimes justified, often unjustified -- deter or demoralise you. Your obligation is to the law. As long as you enforce the law, uphold human rights, use no more than the minimum force that is necessary, and act without fear or favour you can hold your head high as a member of the police force.

Religious terrorism would never be under control________Chidambaram

Pointing at the terror threats from jihadi forces, he said the idea of cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan needed to be redefined as the terrorists also took inspiration from the Middle-east.
"It (jihadi terrorism) is not just from across the border in Pakistan but extends beyond to the middle-east also. We have to redefine what cross-border terrorism means," Chidambaram said at a book release function in New Delhi.
He said insurgency in the Northeast was the third internal threat but added that it was almost under control.
India had the means to "contain, control and resolve" the insurgency in the Northeastern states and Maoist menace in Central India but religious terrorism would never be under control, he said pointing out that there were new dimensions of terror groups such as from Hindu fundamentalist and to a small extent from the Sikh groups.

Enemies want us to be divided as Hindus and Muslims

Naxalism is the first enemy of the country.

Describing Naxalism as the country's "first enemy," Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the menace would be completely rooted out in another two or three years. 

 "Pakistan is training terrorists and allowing them to infiltrate into India and is trying to drive a wedge between Muslims and Hindus in the country. Whenever we want to talk to Pakistan, we have to talk about terrorism, but that country frowns upon the idea," he said. 

Pakistan is the "centre of terrorism" and all terrorist activities, whether in Afghanistan or US, could be traced to Pakistan, the Home Minister said.

State governments had a greater responsibility and role in tackling Maoists than the Centre

Union home minister P Chidambaram on Saturday reiterated his stand that state governments had a greater responsibility and role in tackling Maoists than the Centre. At a press meet here, he said the Centre's role, according to the mandate given to the ministry of home affairs, was to provide paramilitary forces to state governments to help them carry out anti-Maoist operations, to regain control over areas (dominated by Naxalites), to restore civic administration and to restart developmental activities.

The most difficult element in dealing with naxalites was lack of trained policemen.

Intellectual support to Maoists made the task of tackling them “very difficult” as it confused people, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here on Friday.
The most difficult element in dealing with naxalites was lack of trained policemen. It was followed by intellectual and material support. The Maoists seduced the media as they unleashed false charges in courts and pulled all strings to activate their frontal organisations, including the unsuspecting non-government organisations, to widen their circle of influence for support.
“But don’t forget the bottom line — the CPI(Maoists) believe in armed liberation struggle. “Accept it or reject it. There can be no half-way approach. Most people still think there could be a compromise or some kind of median approach. This is immature and foolish,” he said.

Mr. Chidambaram said the government was following a policy on naxalites but it would take some time for the results to become visible, and in the meantime they would continue to try every trick in the bag to garner support, he said at an interaction with the Indian Women’s Press Corps on Friday.

He admitted that the situation on the naxalite front was bad. “This is expected because as long as we did not engage them, they were happy and expanding. They will continue to expand unless we challenge them.”
Denying that any operation was being carried out under the name of “Operation Green Hunt” in Chhattisgarh, he said the Centre was just assisting the States in reclaiming the areas under Maoists control. “This is a careful, controlled and calibrated move with no carnage or collateral damage.”
The Minister admitted that there were police excesses in certain areas of Maoist dominance. He said, “I will hold the State government accountable if they commit excesses.”
There was need to take control of Maoist areas, establish a civil administration and ensure development. “The troops have been told you don’t fire till you are fired upon. The objective is only to reach the areas.”
Explaining his offer of talks to Maoists if they abjured violence, he said he did not ask them to lay down arms or disband their organisation. “I said give up violence for 72 hours, give me 72 hours to consult everyone and respond to your giving up violence and we will find a way out.”

I would like to hear the voices of condemnation of those who have, erroneously, extended intellectual and material support to the CPI-Maoist.

The forces consist of CRPF and small detachments of BSF, ITBP, BSF and IRB. It was also revealed after a series of attacks by the Naxalites that the jawans deployed there did not undergo even a rudimentary course on counter-insurgency strategy and tactics.

The home minister emphasised that every attack by the left-wing extremists exposed the true nature and character of the outfit. “Their goal is to seize power. Their weapon is violence. No organisation or group in a democratic republic has the right to take to violence to overpower the established legal authority. Unfortunately, this simple truth has escaped a number of well-meaning organisations that find ‘legitimacy’ in the armed liberation struggle carried on by the CPI-Maoist,” he said.
Detailing the violence caused by the Maoist rebels during the three-day shutdown Feb 7-9, Chidambaram said their main targets of attack were railway property and there were a total of 11 incidents in Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. “Tracks were blown up, railway stations were attacked, bombs were placed on railway property and railway officials were assaulted,” he said.
“I would like to hear the voices of condemnation of those who have, erroneously, extended intellectual and material support to the CPI-Maoist. It is only if the whole country rejects the preposterous theses of the CPI-Maoist and condemns the so-called ‘armed liberation struggle’ that we can put an end to the menace of Naxalism (Maoism) and bring development and progress to the people in the conflict zones.”

Headley had surveyed targets in Pune

Chidambaram said it was a standard global practise to inform police if anyone comes across unattended baggage.

Chidambaram said such establishments have to themselves adopt security measures since it was not possible for police to check every person, bag or place at all times.

Chidambaram said American terror suspect David Headley had surveyed the Koregaon Park area, the Chabad House and Osho Ashram in the vicinity of the targeted eatery -- German Bakery.

PoK is actually an Indian territory and we should facilitate their return.

Interacting with the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, Chidambaram said: "The idea of granting amnesty to Kashmiri youth in PoK has been accepted. The idea must be translated into action now."

Take “firm action” against divisive forces

During the conference also, Mr. Chidambaram interjected while Mr. Chavan was making his speech and told the Chief Minister that the whole nation wanted that strong action be taken against the people responsible for recent happenings in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai.

Show sensitivity to tribals while fighting against Maoists, Chidambaram tells CRPF

Kadarpur (Haryana) With security forces preparing to launch a multi-state coordinated offensive against Naxals, Home Minister P Chidambaram today said they need to ensure that the poor and tribals do not suffer in the fight against Maoist violence.
“While you should be firm, decisive and unrelenting in dealing with those who indulge in violence, you should show a great degree of sensitivity, patience and maturity to the poor people, especially the tribals,” Chidambaram said.
He was speaking at the 70th Raising Day celebrations of the Central Reserve Police Force that would be at the forefront of the anti-Naxal operation.
Noting that the people of the country have the constitutional right to choose their leaders, he said, “As custodians of the constitution we have moral, ethical and legal responsibility to ensure that the writ of the constitution runs through the length and breadth of the country.”
“The biggest challenge before you (CRPF personnel) is how well and successful you are able to reach out the tribal and the poor people and the marginalised,” the minister said, adding the forces have to convince such people of their rights as a legitimate citizen of the country.

Give security forces respect: Chidambaram

Mumbai, Nov 26 (PTI) Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today said each target of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks was chosen carefully to create maximum impact and lauded the sacrifice of security forces to blunt the designs of the terrorists.

"The adversary chose the target carefully which included two iconic buildings and a place which millions of 'aam admi' use," the home minister said.

Praising the security forces, he said, "What does a policeman want? What do our security forces want? Be it the army jawan who stands on glaciers or in jungles of Assam, men who guard naval bases, or men who keep vigil in the skies: respect.

"I ask people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and India: give respect to policemen.

Ideas are always welcome--------not baseless criticism

If the the government has ran out of ideas, it is always welcome to ideas. How many ideas were given by the opposition in past six years to tackle Naxalism! Who is the Satyagrahi here? Naxals!