Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday cautioned the chiefs of State police forces, security and intelligence officials against continuing attempts to infiltrate militants into India as well as the recently uncovered phenomenon of "saffron terrorism".
"There is no let up in the attempts to radicalise young men and women in India. Besides, there is the recently uncovered phenomenon of saffron terrorism that has been implicated in many bomb blasts of the past. My advice to you is that we must remain ever vigilant and continue to build, at the Central and State levels, our capacity in counter-terrorism," he told top police and security officers.
Inaugurating the three-day conference of State police chiefs and Inspector-Generals of Police here, the Home Minister dwelt at length on the prevailing security scenario in the North-East region, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and on Left Wing extremism.
Describing as "unfortunate" the unexpected turn of events since June in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Central Government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and all political parties and groups.
"We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which that State is caught. However, it is my hope that in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive 'starting point' from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of dialogue that will lead to a solution," he said, adding that the Central Government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K.
Vicious cycle
The Home Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir was caught in a vicious cycle of stone-pelting, lathicharge, teargasing and firing, leading to casualties, and resulting in more stone pelting. "The security forces have been instructed to act with great restraint. The situation has not yet returned to normal. Nevertheless, amidst serious disturbances, 457,324 yatris completed the Amarnath Yatra, exceeding the number of 292,000 yatris last year. So far, 516,970 tourists have visited J&K, and that number also exceeds the 355,960 tourists of last year," he added.
Referring to Left Wing Extremism, Mr. Chidambaram said while the loss of every life was a matter of grief and regret, nothing was more painful than the killing of innocent civilians after naming them as 'police informers'. He said this year alone, 424 civilians have been killed and, of these, 192 were killed after being named 'police informers'. Asserting that the government has called upon the CPI (Maoist) to abjure violence and come for talks, he regretted that there has been no direct and credible response to the offer.
Apart from containing terrorism, he said the best record of achievement has been in the North Eastern States where 2009 was a distinct improvement over 2008 and 2010 has so far seen a dramatic decline in the number of incidents and casualties. He admitted that Manipur and Assam have been affected by long-duration blockades and bandhs and by intermittent violence.
Pointing out that a number of groups in the North East were engaged in talks with the government, the Home Minister expressed the hope that ULFA would also formally come forward to begin talks with the Centre and the Assam government.
Flagging other concerns, the Home Minister said that one of the main area was the maintenance of communal peace and harmony as even most petty disputes and imagined slights trigger conflicts between communities and groups.
Key measures
Touching upon some of the key measures taken by the Central Government over the last one year, the Home Minister informed that allocation for internal security had gone up to Rs. 40,582 crore in 2010-11 as against Rs. 25,923 crore in 2008-09 and the two schemes of modernisation of police forces for the States and for the Central forces has been extended to 2010-11. He said the Government has sanctioned raising of an additional 38 battalions in the CRPF, 29 in Border Security Force, 32 in the Sashastra Seema Bal and 14,259 personnel in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The strength of the IPS has also been increased from 4013 to 4730.
Mr. Chidambaram spoke of the idea of transfer of funds under the modernisation of police force scheme directly to the Director General of Police of the State. He asked the State police chiefs to spell out the steps taken to enact a new Police Act based on the model Bill that was circulated to the States and also wanted to know what steps had been taken by the States to set up the State Police Establishment Board and the Police Complaints Board.
Admitting that security forces too have their shortcomings, he pointed out that "nothing that is said or written can take away a jot from the fact that the security forces are the first line of defence of our democracy and liberty". He also acknowledged the willing cooperation by the State governments in standing up to the challenges posed by forces inimical to India both within and outside the country. Earlier, Mr. Chidambaram gave away police medals for meritorious service to officers of Intelligence Bureau (IB). In his address, Director, IB, Rajiv Mathur warned that "inimical agencies from international bases" were trying to revive Sikh militancy in Punjab by forging an alliance between Sikh militant groups and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Keywords: internal security, saffron terrorism
Comments:
This Congress Govt. coined a new name 'Hindu terrorism' in the past and now 'Saffron terrorism' which will make our sages like Ramdev etc being hated in the whole world. Needless to say that Pakistan & co. will utilise these newly coined words to the maximum extent.
This is the most unfortunate chapter in Indian history.
First, Home Minster should concentrate on Kashmir, Maoists and Naxals in the order then he can talk about so called saffron terror.
Bihar and West Bengal elections are just around the corner and Congress is going full blast minority appeasing. But, even, minority have started seeing through Congress game plan.
Mr.Chidambaram, while talking about the steps,especially funding, taken by the government to strengthen our internal security system, is silent on improving the training of our security personnel. There have been criticisms galore in the country about their training, especially that of the forces fighting the Maoists. Even though 26/11 attack on Mumbai was mounted by terrorists who came in by the sea route, nothing concrete has been heard since then about strengthening our coastal security apparatus. Has the Home Ministry any control on what the Navy and the Coast Guards do on this front? As long as violence in Kashmir continues and the Maoists are able to strike at will anywhere in the States where they are strong, the people of this country will feel insecure despite what the Home Minister has said about strengthening the security system.
Mr. P.Chidambaram has mentioned there are evidences that the “Saffron terrorists” were involved in some bombing incidents in India. I am a Hindu by birth and like any other person, I owe allegiance to my religion. I respect and value Hinduism just as I respect my parents, teachers and the country. Hinduism hails the stage of Renunciation as the ultimate part of life of an individual. Those who renounce are called “Sadhus”. In order to differentiate themselves from other people ,Sadhus wear a Saffron dress, which is respected by all Indians. Our Acharyas, Math leaders, Old people, sanyasis ( incuding women )wear this saffron dress. I am sure Chidambaram is not such a low level human that he referred to these people when he made the above statement.
Then whom was he referring to ? Why the word /color “Saffron “ which is exclusively used for veneration by Hindus and associated with exalted humans is being used to also refer the lowly humans who cause destruction and also for BJP? .
It is Not Mr. Chidambaram alone !!. It is used by the entire Media, Congress and other non- BJP party leaders, their followers etc. It is a paradox that majority of them are Hindus! . All these people stab on their own back.
There seems to be no protest against such a phrase even from sankaracharyas and other Hindu Religious leaders who wear saffron dress which defines their sanctity !
In today’s world, News spread faster than wild fire through Internet, media , email, TV , mobile tec. The whole world will start using the phrase “ saffron Terror” without losing time and we are there to enjoy it !!.
The talk of the day is Islamic terrorists causing destruction around the world. But have any of our politician or Media dared to use the phrase” Muslim Terrorist” in India ? . But they have already coined the Phrase ”Saffron Terrorist” and started spreading it . !!!!
The whole of India and some part of the world knows about the Greatness of Hinduism, as a very tolerant religion. But is this much of tolerance advisable ?
if mr chidambaram says it is saffron terrorism no need to bother. however congress party is giving its open support to anti national forces. let us accept yes we are becoming another freedom fighters for our country and it will continue untill all anti national forces will get end in the country including congress party
there is only a very brief mention regarding saffron terrorism (there is no concrete evidence yet and no one as yet been formally charged ),but you have given prominence to that in the headlines.
It is very disappointing and appears to be quite organised from the english media side in india, that they want to give an impression to outside world that the so called saffron terrorism is somehow playing a bigger and equal role to other forms of international terrorist groups and in this process you are diluting the real threat posed to the integrity of our country. The forces which you are trying to support now knowingly or unknowingly will not spare you if they take upper hand.
There are two imp points abt Chidambaram statement-
The 1st is the concept of terrorism and 2nd the timing of this statement.
To compare the alleged incidents of involvement of some Hindu organisations in some bomb blasts with Islamic terror is ridiculous at the same time political , see how-
A)The Islamik terrorism is an international finomina.
B) islamic terror worldwide is inspired by the concept of Jihad. It is aimed at the kaafirs. Where as the so called bomb blasts by some Hindu youths (if its proved)is a reaction to the soft stand by the Govt on the Islamic terror acts.
C) Till now the Govt and investigative agencies have not found any substantial proof against the Hindu accused.
The timing of Chidambaram's statement is also significant as the Manmohan led Congress Govt is facing various charges of corruption (Commonwealth Games, NEREGA payment etc) on one hand and failed strategies in J&K, agnst Maoists, Indo-Pak ties, Bhopal gas tragedy, the ever rising inflation, etc on other.
By making such an irresponsible statement without any proof, Mr Chidambaram has lost his credibility. SHAME on you Mr PC.
Govt should concentrate more on Kashmir, Maoists etc which are running out of hand.
Instead they are trying to play minority politics by coining new terms which are baseless and ridiculous.
While we appreciate the various measures taken by the Government in controlling / eliminating terrorism in India, which emanates from foreign soil, the most alarming trend is the growing face of internal terrorism, may be in the form of naxalism, maoist, saffron terrorism, whatsoever. These internal menace is like a blood cancer, you will never come to know, till it signals a tangible evidence, by the time the health of the patient would have reached the point of no-return. Hence, these internal terrorism growing in its own fashion and fervour, without our knowledge, by the time we wake up, it would be too late. Better later than never, let the government acts swiftly and effectively to nib them in their bud.
As you know Saffron is grown extensively in Kashmir, this is what our learned Chidambaram meant.
Have we ever heard of any congress leader using the word "Islamist" terrorism or Green terrorism ? If a few Hindu youths are strayed away in to the path of extremism, Mr PC, you should have the honesty to tell to the world that it is a backlash from a people who suffered at the hands of jehadi terrorists from the time of our great Gandhi. It is a natural out come of the fraudulent secularism being thrust upon Hindus.
I think that this word (saffron terror) those you used its againest from Rajasthan culture.
Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram is aware of the past, called saffron terror, and the things happened in the name of saffron terror, I THINK SO, it is better bring all the politician statement made by them in the past in front of peoples and then they can analysis the statement with the STATEMENT made by P. Chidambaram, THIS WILL BE BETTER SALUTATION I FEEL LIKE.