Rise in Naxal, Maoists violence main security concern

New Delhi, Jan 1 (UNI) The overall internal security situation in the country largely remained under control during the year 2007.

The sudden spurt in the castists movement, pressing for scheduled tribes status and rise in violent activities by Naxals and Maoists remained the main cause of security concern in the country, during the year under review.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir showed perceptible improvement. In the North Eastern Region (NER), the situation in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland were the main areas of concern. In 2007, till the end of November, the number of incidents of Naxalite violence and of casualties among police personnel and civilians was marginally higher, about the same as in the corresponding period of 2006. Of the total number of incidents, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68.16 per cent and 76.42 per cent of the total casualties. There was a decline in the number of incidents and casualties in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68.16 per cent and 76.42 per cent of the total casualties. There was a decline in the number of incidents and casualties in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Government's approach was to deal with Naxalite activities in a holistic manner, in the arenas of security, development, administration and public perception management.

State governments concerned, take necessary action to deal with Naxalite activities. The Central government supplements their efforts and resources by various measures, which include deployment of 33 battalions of Central paramilitary forces (inclusive of one battalion of State Armed Police on inter-state deputation) to assist the State police forces, sanctioning of India Reserve battalions to the States, assistance for strengthening of the State Police and Intelligence agencies through the modernisation of State Police Forces Scheme.

Besides they also supplement with reimbursement of security-related expenditure under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme, assistance in training of State police forces through the Ministry of Defence, Central Police Organisations and Bureau of Police Research and Development, sharing of Intelligence, bringing about inter-State coordination and assistance in development works through a range of schemes of different Ministries.

For certain Naxalite-affected areas, it has been decided that three-year perspective plans would be prepared for covering all eligible habitations under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

The state governments have been requested to identify and prioritise unconnected habitations having population of 500 and above in plain areas and 250 and above in tribal areas for preparing detailed project reports. National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, which was originally being implemented in 200 districts, and was extended to 330 districts in April 2007, is now being extended to all districts in the country (except metropolises), having regard to the need to universalise this demand-driven programme for wage-employment.

As regards terrorist activities in the hinterland, there have been some incidents during the year including the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad, the twin blasts in Hyderabad, the blast in the premises of Durgah Sharif in Ajmer, the blast at the Sringar Cinema Hall in Ludhiana and simultaneous bomb blasts in court premises in Faizabad, Varanasi and Lucknow. A number of terrorist modules were busted in different states by the state security and intelligence agencies in association with the Central agencies.

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