States must devise strategies on internal security: Dy NSA

Hyderabad, Mar 4 (UNI) Striking a balance between political, economic and security measures, the state governments must devise right strategies to deal with internal security challenges, Deputy National Security Adviser Shekhar Dutt said today.

Participating in the valedictory of 'Women IPS Officers Conference', organised by Sardar Vallabbhai Patel National Police Academy here, he said ''the primary responsibility of internal security must rest with the state governments.'' ''The police and criminal justice system should be strengthened.

The Centre and state Governments must cooperate with each other to effectively meet internal security challenges.'' Mr Dutt alleged that the nexus between political establishment and criminals was creating an environment of lawlessness to help the influential people to violate law with impunity.

''The entire criminal justice system is under strain. People are losing faith in police and judiciary and taking law into their own hands to get instant justice.'' Pointing out that the rise in fundamentalist forces and revolutionary movements like Naxalism had a direct bearing on internal security, he said neighbouring countries were supporting such divisive movements.

Mr Dutt admitted that insurgencies and disturbances had made the state's security system vulnerable.

Calling for a change in the perception of men and women IPS officers on the capabilities of opposite sex in extending service, he said ''it is essential for women IPS officers to consider policing more as a way of life than just a job.'' UNI AP JJ KK AS2003