A HOME Ministry review of the overall internal security situation in the country has claimed that law and order situation had remained largely under control in 2006, although there were some major terrorist incidents at some places including Varanasi, Mumbai and Malegaon. While Mumbai had serial train blasts, in Malegaon planted bombs in a place of worship killed many people. It was reported that 21 ISI-backed espionage modules were smashed during the year up to Nov 21, 2006 and 57 ISI-backed terrorist modules busted during the year up to Oct 31. Large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives were seized in Maharashtra. There was a decline in violent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, the situation in North East too showed sign of improvement.

On the Naxalites front, there were 749 killings as against 892 in 2005. There was a short but intense spell of communal violence in Maharashtra. Aggrieved Dalits went on a rampage against government silence over atrocities.

Jammu and Kashmir

The number of violent incidents dropped by 15 per cent, that of civilians killed came down by 28 per cent and security forces killed decreased by 10 per cent till November 2006, as compared to previous year. The Prime Minister held talks with APHC's Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Chairman, People's Conference, Sajjad Lone and JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik. A round table conference was held on Feb 17 in New Delhi and another on May 24 in Srinagar. As a follow-up to the PM's talks, 51 persons detained under the J&K Public safety Act, 1978 were freed. At a cost of Rs 1.85 billion, 5242 two-roomed tenements are being constructed for accommodating all migrant families presently living in camps in Jammu. As part of the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) with Pakistan, the Poonch-Rawalakot bus service was flagged off on June 20.

North-east

There was decline in violence in Tripura, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, while in Meghalaya, violence had been contained. In Assam and Nagaland, violence went up due to the stepped up activities of the United Liberation Front of Asam (ULFA) resulting in factional clashes between the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and NSCN(K) rise in violent incidents in the state. Mizoram and Sikkim, however, continued to be peaceful. The existing Suspension of Operations/ Ceasefire with NSCN(I/M) , NSCN(K), ANVC and National Democratic Front of Bodloland were periodically reviewed. The government also took the initiative to start dialogue with ULFA in Assam and even declared unilateral suspension of operations but it was found the truce was misused by the militant outfit to regroup and procure arms and so there was no option than to resume the counter-insurgence operations. They unleashed an orgy of violence against Hindi-speaking Bihari labourers in the first week of 2007 killing 78 people.

Naxal situation

Except in Chattisgarh, where there were more casualties, Naxal violence was generally contained during 2006. The Central government earmarked additional funds amounting to Rs 1 billion for the Naxal-affected states for purchase of demining equipment, latest telecommunications equipment and modern weaponry for vulnerable police stations. An empowered group of ministers, headed by the Home Minister and comprising some union ministers and chief ministers had been set up to closely monitor the spread of naxalism and evolve effective strategies to tackle the problem.

Police modernization

As part of the modernization process of the state police forces, an amount of Rs 10.25 billion was spent in 2005-06, which is likely to cross Rs 11 billion in 2006-07. Seven mega cities including Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Mumbai have been selected for the upgradation of police infrastructure. Modernisation plans for seven central para-military forces at an estimated cost of Rs 41.85 billion had been approved. The forces have been equipped with latest weapons like AK-47 rifles, bullet-proof vehicles, surveillance equipment and various types of ammunition. To strengthen the internal security scenario, the government approved raising of 79 battalions in the CPFs and 34 India Reserve Battalions. The CPFs played a major role in the peaceful conduct of assembly polls in Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and the UT of Pondicherry.

Border management

The total length of Indo-Bangladesh border to be fenced is 3286.87 km out of which 2435 km of fencing had been completed. A floodlighting project along 277 km of the border was also completed. On the Indo-Pakistan border, the construction of 1902 km of fencing out of 2007 km had been completed. An amount of Rs 9.12 billion will be spent on phase-wise construction of 27 roads totaling 608 kms in the border areas along the India- China border in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

International cooperation

Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) were initiated/signed with Spain and Bulgaria. MLATs with Mauritius and Belarus have come into force. MoU on combating international terrorism, crime and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs was signed with Saudi Arabia. During 2006, the Home Minister visited Singapore, Bangladesh in May to attend the first meeting of the SAARC. A Chinese delegation led by Chen Zhimin, Assistant minister of the ministry of public safety, visited India in November. A Myanmar delegation led by their Home Minister Maj. Gen Maung Oo, visited India in December 2006. rtunities.

The views and facts stated above are entirely the responsibility of the author and do not reflect the views of this Association in any manner.