GENERAL (RETD) V. P. MALIK
ther the resources nor inclination to upgrade the quality of the state police or to raise extra forces without substantial financial help from the Centre. They let the situation deteriorate till it blows out of their control. At operational level too, as noticed in many states recently, synergy is lacking, particularly when the Centre and the state governments are run by different political alliances. There is far too much of political interference in the professional functioning of police organisations in the states. As a result, law enforcement agencies across the country, without exception, are in a state of utter disrepair. Unless these are re-invigorated and energised, we cannot achieve the desired results from internal security operations. The responsibility without resources at the state level, and the lack of accountability at state level and at the Centre, must be resolved. The government must implement the recommendations of the National Police Reforms Commission of 1979 and advice from the Supreme Court on the PIL filed by the former DGP Prakash Singh in letter and spirit. We need synergised Centre-state strategy and doctrines to deal with different aspects of internal security including insurgencies and terrorism. This should cover the above mentioned law and order related reforms, better coordination, as well as broad-based domains of national and states’ policies like accelerated economic development and social justice, security and media policies in affected areas. Most importantly, it should address dedicated and effective governance through good administration, prompt and fair judiciary and law and order machinery that inspires public confidence.
Abbreviations & Index toward rear of yearbook
A
t the annual internal security conference of Governors and Chief Ministers last year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged that internal security threat to India is a major cause of concern. Currently, 45 per cent of India’s geographical area, covering 220 districts, is in the grip of insurgency. Internal security problems in Jammu & Kashmir and Northeastern states are well known. In addition, Naxalites have spread their activities to 180 districts in 17 states. Sixty districts in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra are seriously affected; eight of them being critical. India’s open and pluralistic society remains vulnerable to several internal contradictions even after 62 years of independence. Given our poverty, illiteracy, communal and caste vote bank politics, these contradictions are unlikely to disappear soon. In a strategic environment wherein internal and external security is enmeshed more than ever before, a ‘Balkanised’ India is not in our strategic and national interest. Combating security problems—internal, external or their combination—requires a high level of synergy at strategic, operational and tactical levels.
Centre-State Synergy
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Law and order is a state subject. Policing authority, therefore, is vested with state governments. This has made the Central government incapable of directly affecting the quality of policing; a source of much of the problems in managing internal security. Unfortunately, the state governments devote little attention to this important issue and very often refuse to recognise basic linkage between normal policing and internal security. They have nei-
Greater liaison, coordination and interoperability for operations among agencies responsible for internal security is essential. It is time to think
61 SP's MILITARY YEARBOOK | 2009-2010 | 39th Year of Issue
WEAPONS EQUIPMENT VEHICLES CONCEPTS & PERSPECTIVES TECHNOLOGY
Fundamental changes in the manner in which the country will be secured and protected are in the offing
BUSINESS
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In the Grip of Insurgency
INDIAN DEFENCE
4 Security Threats Combating Internal
ASIAN WHO’S WHO
OPINION
REGIONAL BALANCE
EXPERT
CONTENTS
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