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New Delhi, December 11
Minister of State (Home) Nityanand Rai in a reply in the parliament spoke on the recent crackdown on left wing extremism, border fencing, modernization of the police force, new criminal laws and digital arrest scams.
Speaking on modernization of police forces is an ongoing and continuous process. ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are state subjects as per the seventh Schedule of the Constitution. It is the responsibility of the State Governments to develop the police infrastructure. However, the efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing their police forces have been supplemented by the Central Government under the scheme of “Assistance to States & UTs for Modernization of Police (ASUMP)”
The objective of the scheme is to equip the State/UT Police Forces adequately through development of relevant infrastructure. The focus of the scheme is to strengthen police infrastructure at cutting edge level by equipping the police stations with the required modern technology, weaponry, communication equipment etc. along with construction of Police Stations in all the States/UTs. It includes mobility and construction of other police infrastructure including housing, but only for specific areas.
Rai stated that an overall outlay of Rs. 4846 crore under the scheme of “Assistance to States & UTs for Modernization of Police (ASUMP)” has been approved for five years during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
On the modernization of the central police forces, MoS Rai said that under Plan-IV with total financial outlay of Rs.1523 Crore for the period from 01.01.2022 to 31.03.2026 has been approved for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). Through this plan, CAPFs are equipped with latest weapons, surveillance and communication equipment, specialized vehicles, protective gears etc. to enable them to perform important tasks such as guarding the borders and maintaining internal security. This plan is helping to bridge the gap between the existing inventory / technology held by CAPFs and the latest appropriate state of the art technology in view of the current security scenario across the country.
MoS informed that a methodology for smooth induction of Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) developed products in CAPFs has been devised in collaboration between Ministry of Home Affairs and DRDO. Through this, a number of items like Corner Shot Weapon System for 9mm Pistol, 40mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) ammunition, Joint Venture Protective Carbine (JVPC), Multi-Mode Hand Grenade, Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (ATV) etc. have been introduced in the forces. DRDO is also developing Hand Held Ground Penetrating radar (HH-GPR), Vehicle Mounted Ground Penetrating Radar, Foliage Penetrating Radar etc. for CAPFs.
Induction of DRDO developed items /technologies in CAPFs has been further simplified by rationalizing the existing instructions, Rai further added.
Speaking on border fencing , Rai said that the total length of Indo-Bangladesh Border in Meghalaya is 443 km, out of which 367.155 km length of International border has been covered by fence. Fence work is in progress in 19.759 km. The challenges faced in completing the feasible stretches of fencing projects relate to land acquisition, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objections, limited working season and land slide/marshy land in the state.
The border security of non-feasible stretch is ensured by using technological equipment such as Hand Held Thermal Imager (HHTI), Night vision Device (NVD), Twin Telescope, upgradation of intelligence setup and enhanced coordination with the State Governments/concerned intelligence agencies and by employing additional manpower.
MoS informed that Issues relating to border security management and cooperation to mitigate cross-border issues are discussed with Bangladesh through bilateral institutional mechanisms such as Director General-Level Talks between Border Security Force and Border Guard Bangladesh and Joint Working Group on Security and Border Infrastructure. Moreover, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is constantly engaged in dialogue through directives of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) which include simultaneous coordinated day and night patrolling, pillar checking, flag meetings, reporting of border violations and sharing of information which aims to synergize efforts between both the forces to control cross-border crimes and maintain peace.
He reiterated that government has been persistent in its efforts to remove obstacles and ensure timely completion. In the current financial year (FY 2024-25), the budget allocation for Indo-Bangladesh fence works is Rs. 299.58 crore out of which, Rs. 19.54 crore has been released to the Executive Agencies for Meghalaya.
