Uttarakhand seeks Centre's assistance to meet ''Red'' threat

New Delhi, Dec 20 (UNI) The hill state of Uttarakhand, which has borders with China and Nepal, today told the Centre that a short-term and long-term security action plan for the state should be chalked out, especially in view of the extremist design of making the state a part of the 'Red Corridor' linking up to Nepal.

''Maoist activity in Nepal and presence of important religious places and vital installations in Uttarakhand adds a sensitive dimension to the security scenario,'' said state Chief Minister Major Gen (Retd.) B C Khanduri speaking at a meeting of Chief Ministers on Internal Security chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here.

Underlining that both international and national borders impinge upon internal security of Uttarakhand' the Chief Minister sought a substantial share of the Central budget to help states modernise Police forces.

He demanded a raise in the Centre's police modernisation assistance to at least Rs.30 crore from the existing Rs 10 crore.

The State Government was also submitting a Perspective Plan of Rs.

208 crore for the modernisation of Police, he added.

He urged the Centre to give assistance for creating modern technological infrastructure, especially in the field of enhancing surveillance along the border.

Mr Khanduri wanted the Centre to provide specific, actionable Intelligence inputs on Maoist and other terrorist elements to the state police.

To ensure physical security of important religious places and installations in the State, he asked for adequate funds from the Centre.

Saying that the Kumbh Mela 2010 at Haridwar would be a huge security challenge to the state Government, the Chief Minister said the Centre should consider inclusion of Uttarakhand in Security Related Expenditure Scheme.

He felt that an institutional mechanism between the Central and State Government was required to share information from Agencies on terrorists.

UNI