The Hindu : Front Page : Get ready for any eventuality, Patil tells Central forces

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 25, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Get ready for any eventuality, Patil tells Central forces

Special Correspondent

`While fighting terrorism, we also need to check disparities in society'

PHOTO: PTI

HONOURING THE BRAVE: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Director-General of ITBP, V.K. Joshi, presenting the best battalion running trophy to Jaspal Singh, Commandant, 15th Battalion, at the 45th Raising Day celebrations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in New Delhi on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Tuesday asked the Central paramilitary forces to gear themselves up to meet any eventuality if terrorism became a "mini war."

Taking note of apprehensions that terrorism could have dangerous manifestations for internal security, he said it was imperative that all police forces, particularly Central forces, were in a state of preparedness. The Minister was speaking at the 45th raising day celebrations of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Noting that the weaponry of terrorists was getting sophisticated, he said, "every eventuality has to be met with grit and determination." Terrorism in all its manifestations needed to be checked and defeated.

"While dealing with terrorism, we need to check economic and social justice disparities in society."

Rocket shells seizure

J.K. Sinha, Director-General of the Central Reserve Police Force, expressed concern over the recent seizure of a large number of rocket shells, meant for Maoists, in Andhra Pradesh.

He said the husband-wife duo, who owned the rocket shell unit in Tamil Nadu, was arrested. The empty rocket shells were to be filled with explosives.

"All Central forces and police organisations are keeping a close watch on the sources of explosives, manufacturing units and movement of explosives," Mr. Sinha told reporters on the eve of the 67th raising day of the CRPF.

He favoured continuation of the anti-naxal Salwa Judum movement, saying it provided vital inputs to the local police in Chhattisgarh. It was a "big asset" to the local police and Central forces, and its activists should be protected.

"Security forces should be in the forefront of fighting the naxals lest Salwa Judum activists be terrorised."

The Home Ministry has set up a naxal desk ahead of Friday's task force meeting.

Official sources said the desk, headed by an Additional Secretary rank officer, would become operational once senior officers in the rank of Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector-General of Police were deputed.

Poaching on secrets

Mr. Sinha said the debate on the activities of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence and reports of its moles being "inside our forces" were a matter of concern.

Many countries, friendly or inimical to India, wanted "to lay hands on our secrets."

Referring to the then Research and Analysis Wing officer fleeing to the U.S., he said a strict "internal mechanism" should be put in place to tackle the problem.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page