Speech delivered by Shri L.K. Advani, Dy. Prime Minister, at the Internal Security Conference of State Chief Secretaries and DGPs
At the outset, I extend a very warm welcome to all of you to this meeting and also convey my greetings to you and your families for the New year. I feel extremely happy that a mechanism now exists that gives me an opportunity every year to meet all of you and share perceptions on internal security issues.
When I look back over the last five years, internal security situation in the country has been affected mainly by the continued cross border terrorism, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency in the North-Eastern region and extremism in the naxalite affected States.
India has been a victim of cross border terrorism for the last two decades now. Thousands of innocent persons including women and children have lost their lives. A major chunk of this has been in J&K alone. The loss in terms of jobs, economic opportunities and developmental efforts negated due to terrorism cannot even be comprehended.
Indeed, terrorism today has become a cause of global concern. The events of 9/11 have altered the global perspective on peace and security. India’s consistent and basic stand before the international community has been that there could be no justification for terrorism on any ground; religious, political, ideological or any other. There are no good or bad terrorists; a terrorist anywhere is a terrorist everywhere. The fight against terrorism has to be global, comprehensive and sustained. No country should, or be allowed to, profess partnership with the global coalition against terror while continuing to aid, abet and sponsor terrorism as an instrument of State Policy.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1373 has given a mandate to all member States that every State has the duty to refrain from organizing, instigating, assisting, or participating in terrorist acts in their State or acquiesce activities within its territory directed towards the commission of such acts in other countries. It also calls upon all States to refrain from providing any form of support, active or passive to entities or persons who are involved in terrorist acts. India has fully implemented the UN SC resolution 1373. At the regional level, there are conventions aimed at taking effective steps to counter terrorism including terrorist funding. At the recently concluded SAARC Summit in Islamabad, the member states have signed the additional protocol to the 1987 SAARC Convention on Suppression of Terrorism. With this important landmark coupled with cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan, all members countries of SAARC must fulfill the obligations under the 1373 Resolution and thereby usher in an era of enduring peace, stability and prosperity in South Asian region and for its people.
Similarly, in the last six years (1998-2003) 188 Pak backed terrorist modules have been busted in various parts of the country leading to arrest of 638 persons and killing of 50 terrorists. Also, 99 Pak espionage modules resulting in arrest of 231 persons including Pak nationals have been detected in different parts of the country by the IB in close coordination with the State police forces.
As a result of constant efforts and sharing of information and intelligence by the Government, the US and the UN have declared Dawood Ibrahim as a global terrorist (in October and November, 2003 respectively).
Due to the persistent efforts of our security agencies, we have been able to secure deportation of 21 criminals/terrorists from Singapore, US, Switzerland, New Zealand, UK, UAE and Dubai. Out of these, 10 terrorists, a majority of them being associates of Dawood Ibrahim have been deported from UAE/Dubai in the last one year.
While cross border terrorism and infiltration of terrorists into India has continued over the years, the level of infiltration and the number of violent incidents in Jammu & Kashmir have perceptibly come down in recent months. The popular aversion to terrorism and violence in the states can be gauged from the near absence of Kashmiris in militant tanzeems. The record number of visiting tourists, pilgrims and normalcy in various walks of life have shown people’s faith and yearning for peace and prosperity. The Government has always been open to the resolution of all conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means. It was in this spirit that the invitation for talks has been extended to the Hurriyat leaders, who, I am confident, would make sincere efforts to end the era of violence in J&K.
The implementation of cease-fire all along the LOC and IB has brought peace to the area and given a further boost to the expectations among the people in general that good times are ahead. The reduction in tension on the borders has made life easy for the people living in border area.
With the Joint Statement issued on 6th January, 2004 by India and Pakistan, it is hoped that the situation would further improve in the months to come. It is historic Joint Statement wherein both the countries have expressed the hope that the positive trends set by the recently taken Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) would be consolidated and that the resumption of the composite dialogue will lead to peaceful settlement of all bilateral issues including Jammu and Kashmir, to the satisfaction of both sides. President Musharraf has reassured our Prime Minister that he will not permit any territory under Pakistan’s control to be used to support terrorism in any manner. He also emphasized that a sustained and productive dialogue addressing all issues would lead to positive results.
What is required is to have a joint stake in fighting terrorism. No differentiation could be made between Al Qaeda terrorists and Jehadi terrorists targeting India. Forces of moderation need to be strengthened to ensure that forces of extremism and fundamentalism do not get the upper hand. IN the wake of improvement of relations with Pakistan, it should only be expected that all this would now become a reality.
Despite the seriousness and lethality of terrorist acts and threats mainly caused by cross border terrorism, our Police, security and intelligence agencies have done a commendable job in most situations. They have admirably grappled with the problem and denied to the terrorists strategic and operational space. The success achieved earlier in Punjab, significant improvements recently seen in J&K and in some of the North-Eastern states clearly establish that the battle can be fought and won. As a result of coordinated action by the Central and State security and intelligence forces, 13230 terrorists have been killed, 23751 terrorists arrested and 13038 terrorists surrendered during the last six years (1998-2003). During the same period, 187 Pak backed terrorist modules have been busted in various parts of the country leading to arrest of 632 persons and 99 Pak espionage modules resulting in arrest of 231 persons with the joint efforts of the Intelligence Bureau and the State Police forces. I would like to congratulate you and all members of the Central and State security and intelligence forces for this remarkable performance.
The Government has given a high priority to the resolution of the insurgency problem faced by the North-Eastern states. The violence profile in these States has improved in recent years. There is an increasing desire to strengthen the forces of peace and join the mainstream for speedy development and growth. Peace talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak Muivah) NSC (IM), NSCN(K) and Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) have produced significant results. The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) became functional about a month ago after the Bodo Liberation Tiger (BLT) was formally disbanded with its cadres surrendering before the Government along with weapons. The dialogue is still continuing with the NSCN. Action by the Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) against ULFA, NDFB and KLO has been a major breakthrough. This became possible as a result of constant efforts made by the Government at the diplomatic level with the Kind of Bhutan. I hope, this development will make insurgent groups in the North-East realize the futility of the path of violence and come forward to resolve the outstanding issues by non-violent means within the framework of the Constitution. The Government would continue to pursue with the other neighbouring countries to emulate the example set by Bhutan so that Indian insurgent Groups operating in these countries are also neutralized. The SAARC Summit held in Islamabad will hopefully provide the necessary impetus to these countries to act accordingly.
(Release ID :718)